The Longest Line...is not Frozen Ever After, but Finding Nemo!

Wednesday - May 3, 2017

We decide to take it easier today.  By easier it means no pre-opening breakfast ADR's, but we still wanted to make rope drop since we didn't have a FP for Test Track as we used our Tier 1 on Frozen Ever After.

We line up at the International Gateway and enter quite easily.  And we wind our way to Test Track...which is closed.  Because it rained early morning, the track is still wet and they don't think it's 100% safe yet.  So we wait.  And wait.  For about 15 minutes before we decided "screw it" and left.  And we realize that uh, JK forgot to take her Dramamine.  Which is super no bueno because she gets motion sickness, and we have a FP for Mission: Space.  

Being as we can't hit Test Track, we end up going to Starbucks instead, because we are good Americans and that's what we do.  We're both dragging as it's our 4th day in the parks, so I go to town and get 4 shots of espresso in my macchiato.  Because that's how I roll.  

my drug of choice.  FOUR SHOTS baby

As we are old ladies who need to sit down to sip our overpriced caffeine, we wander over to the covered area by Mouse Gear and drink our coffees, luxuriating in the blasts of AC we get every time the store's doors slide open.  We decide to just grab a pack of Dramamine at one of the gift shops instead of waking back to our room.  Test Track is still down so we opt instead to do Nemo and Friends since she says she needs about a hour for the Dramamine to take effect.  The reported wait time was only about 15 minutes, so it didn't seem like a big deal.  Dude, this ended up being THE LONGEST LINE WE WAITED IN ALL WEEK.  I'm completely serious.  This includes every single ride at Walt Disney World AND Universal.  We ended up waiting 26 minutes for Nemo.  We waited LESS than that for Gringotts (without Express Pass), Forbidden Journey, Mine Train, Expedition Everest, and every single E ticket ride in Orlando.  What.  The.  Hell.

An experience that should take no more than 15 minutes (including the ride itself) took about 35 minutes.  NOOOOO!!!  (deep breath)

But we ride Nemo (at least the queue was themed and air conditioned), and we realize that Test Track is operating.  Instead of waiting the 75 minute in the regular line because we are not retarded, we go in the single rider line and we're on the ride in under 15 minutes.  AFTER designing some really ugly cars.  We end up in back to back cars, so there wasn't even a wait!

After Test Track we start using our FP's - we hit Spaceship Earth, then we Mission: Space.  It's a little intense, but it's fun and unique, and she's super glad she took the Dramamine because she most definitely would've thrown up and been done for the day if she didn't.

The side effect though?  The store did not sell non-drowsy Dramamine.  WHAT THEME PARK SELLS MEDICATION THAT MAKES SOMEONE DROWSY AND THUS LESS LIKELY TO STAY AND SPEND MONEY?????  Seriously.  She staggered around like she was drunk because she was super dizzy and super sleepy.  So I decide it's a good time to do Ellen's Universe of Energy, which my parents very much enjoyed for an afternoon nap.  It's air conditioned, you stay seated, and it's like 45 minutes long.  

The waiting area had nice padded benches and we sat on one leaning up against the wall in AC.  It was quite lovely.  We then boarded the ride vehicles.  I remember seeing dinosaurs and I totally fell asleep.  So yes, I've done it, but I remember nothing else other than a younger Ellen and dinos somewhere.  Oops.  Also, this was the day I discovered the Epcot is where sunglasses go to die, because I lost mine somewhere on this ride and could NOT find it.  And boys and girls, this is why I only wear cheapie glasses on vacation.

Universe of Energy ride vehicle and theater.  I conked out about 10 minutes after this

Unsuccessful in retrieving my glasses, we start heading towards the World Showcase for our lunch ADR at Le Cellier.  I booked it because they recently came out with a prix fixe three course lunch for $50.  Also, I wanted to try their legendary cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread.  So off to Canada we go!  We also admire all the pretty landscaping during the Flower and Garden Festival.  

We head into the Canadian Pavillion and into the fake castle building where Le Cellier is housed.  The reviews are correct - the tables are super close together and it's not exactly quiet.  

Even with an ADR, we wait a few minutes before we're lead to our table.  We decide that instead of doing two prix fixe meals, we'll do one, and then order another soup and a poutine to share.  I had thought to get the steak, but since we had steak the night before, we opted for the fancy wagyu burger  oscar something something instead.  And yes, it was super fancy and super delicious.  And the bread...oh, the bread.  I still dream about the bread.

This soup is magical.  Especially to dip the bread in

poutine - pretty good, but not the best.  I actually like the poutines at Kroft better.  That's probably Americanized poutine.

Burger with crab.  And other deliciousness. This was one crazy decadent burger.  Also, this pickle defeated JK, who can eat ALL the pickles and handle all the tart.  But this pickle...she had to give up.  It burned.

We ended with the maple creme brulee.  Even though it's made with heavy cream, I always delude myself into thinking it's "light" because it's a smooth custard...that's like 1934 calories.  It was a good lunch - a little pricey, but I think you get what you pay for here.

We needed a nap.  I was in food coma and just tired and old.  JK needed a nap because she was still high on the Dramamine.  So we head for the International Gateway...by head I mean we slowly shop in that direction.  Before that though, we got a few shots with the photopass photographer.

I'm teetering into food coma territory here.  Resting bitch face = I need a nap

The Canadian Pavillion is gorgeous.  I had wanted to see O Canada!, but I was too tired after lunch to wait for it.  It was not conducive to laying down.  

From Canada we headed to the UK Pavillion, which was right next to the International Gateway.  Neither of us have been to the UK before, and the buildings were so quaint and cute that we took a gazillion photos.

We visited their little Twinings tea shop and their Scottish scarves and sweaters shop (so expensive!) and I adored the herb garden in teacups outside.

And because of the Flower and Garden Festival, a lot of the pavillions had fancy extra foliage they don't usually have!

like Tinkerbell

and Peter Pan.

We wander over to France to take a look at Belle and the Beast (we had to take a sideways shot because everyone and their mother was standing right in front of it for photos) and then proceeded out of the IG to our room for a nap.  Because we are old ladies who need to nap.

selfie right by the International Gateway!

In our nice air-conditioned room, we wipe ourselves down, I change into my "room" shorts, and fall on the bed asleep...with Blackish playing the whole time.

The appeal of staying in a Disney resort...mid-day breaks made easy.  Naps are magical.  Especially naps on a comfortable bed in AC.  Ahh...

We had a Frozen Ever After FP for 5:40 pm - at 62 days out, it was literally the earliest time I could snag.  I guess many someones got in RIGHT at 4 am on the dot?  Maybe I got in at 4:00:22 am???  We roll out after 5 and do the old lady shuffle to get on Frozen Ever After.  It was...cute.  But I ain't waiting in a line longer than 30 minutes for this ride.  I guess if you can line up for it inside where it's air-conditioned and decorated, it won't be so bad because there's stuff to look at (and the AC is magical), but if I had to stand in the sun for 2 hours for this ride I'd commit seppuku 😐.  I guess it appeals to the little girls who lurve Frozen more than anything ever, but the fact that this is the hardest FP to get blows my mind.  It's cute, it's well done, and I'm impressed at what they were able to do in wedging this into an old show building and relatively unreliable ride - but come on!

I had no idea they took photos of this.  I don't even know which part of the ride this is on.  But I look totally stoned.

After the boat ride we head to Mexico and go on the Donald Duck and his Mexican bird friends ride.  Fun and entertaining, and best of all - no line!

Then we wander around.  World Showcase is just about wandering around, going into the little shops and exhibits and eating all the food offerings.  So we did that.  

Morocco is one of my favorite pavilions.  It's just gorgeous - the detailing and the lighting...love!  (as you can clearly tell by the eighty thousand photos I take of it each time)

Then we explore around the world and I take photos of JK at these sites like paparazzi so she can show her family what a world traveler she is.  

she's in Venezia!

and now Roma!

Unfortunately, we needed to hustle over to the FP area for Illuminations way too soon and we missed out on seeing a lot of the World Showcase (sob!).  [Spoiler alert!  We come back!]  We went to France though, and purchased a bunch of pastries from Les Halles Boulagerie-Patisserie to eat during Illuminations...but we also get gelato cones from L'Artisan des Glaces and end up saving our delicious pastries for the next day.

I don't have photos of Illuminations because I took a gazillion last time, and this time, from the perspective the show was designed to be viewed from (between the gifts shops as you enter from Future World - see below), I just wanted to watch it  So I did.  And it was still fun.  But between the two, I prefer Wishes more.  

the circled area is where the FP viewing spot is

After Illuminations we stroll back towards IG to the Beach Club.  On the way out we stop in the World Traveler shop (damn you Disney!  Tempting me with your wares!) and I ended buying a Flower & Garden Festival themed Tervis tumbler.  It was $30, which is way too much to pay for a cup, but I actually use it every day, so I do think it was worth the money.  It's pretty (pink with flowers) and it makes me happy, so it was $30 well spent.

We trudge back to Beach Club, sad it was our last night at Disney World.  I know we still have 2 full days of Universal ahead, and we were both excited about Diagon Alley (we already have Hogsmeade here, so it's not a surprise), but we had been planning the trip for so long and it was almost over!  (it was only Wednesday night, but I was feeling dramatic).  We were both hungry, and had thrown around the idea of ordering pizza and eating in our PJ's, so that's what we did.  We got mushroom and sausage.  I know the pizza at WDW gets a bad rap, but I thought it was pretty decent.  Is it the most delicious pizza I've ever had?  No, but it's convenient, it was delivered hot and cheesy, and it hit the spot.  Sprinkle some crushed red peppers on there and it's pretty tasty.

We stuff ourselves full, pack up our stuff with Blackish (what else?) on the TV and sleep.  We have to check out the next day and head to Universal.  I had played with the idea of getting up at 6 to hit up early entry at USF, but I then came to my senses because I'm not that crazy. We decided that we were going to sleep in instead to start the last third of our trip off right.  

A Magical Day

Tuesday - May 2, 2017

Because I am full of good ideas, I decided that we needed to do a pre-opening breakfast at Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom so we could get on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before the mass of crowds at rope drop.  We get to go into the park before the 9 am opening, we get to eat inside Be Our Guest (BOG), and we get to get one ride in on Mine Train.  Sounds good, right?

Yeah...except for the part where we have to get up by 6:30.  They start letting people into the park around 7:45 am, and only those with pre-opening breakfast ADR's are permitted past the castle. That meant I wanted to be at MK's front gates by 7:30 am which means being at the bus stop by 7 am at the latest.  So once again, WHILE ON VACATION, we got up at the butt crack of dawn.  AHHHH!

But up we got, because this was going to be a busy day.  We had ADR's for BOG breakfast, BOG lunch (what?  We love B&B), and an 8 pm ADR to Cinderella's Royal Table (the other of JK's few requests).  This was to be a day of good food.  And princesses.  Lots of princesses.

We were by the bus stop at 7 am and within minutes, a bus to the MK pulled up and off we went.  We passed through security, joined the morass of crowds waiting to enter, and waited, eager to enter the park.  Well...7:45 came and went...apparently they were having technical difficulties with a crane or something?  Either way, we were let into the park a few minutes late.  We power walked up Main Street as I was determined to get to BOG quickly so we could get our breakfast quickly and be able to have more time admiring the restaurant before we had to exit for the ride on Mine Train.

everyone else is also power walking to their breakfast reservations too!

time for a super quick selfie!

We ended up getting there before the doors opened, and were the 2nd party into the restaurant.  And because we placed our orders ahead of time, it was super duper fast :)

look how empty it is!

Because we got there so early, we had our pick of tables.  I headed directly for one of the "window" tables, since these are usually the ones that get taken up first.  

It's my 3rd time at BOG, and I'm still awed at how gorgeous it is.  Look at the frosted windows next to us!  No detail is too small for Disney...unless we're talking about Loser Land USA (aka Dino Land).  JK wandered around to look at the rose and the West Wing while I snapped the above photos.  I have photos of the restaurant, but not this empty!  And not of the windows this up close :)

I can't believe I didn't take photos of our food!  (sacrilege!)  Our food was wheeled out pretty quickly - JK got the egg and bacon sandwich (which used to be open faced and on a baguette, but now served on a croissant) and I tried the croque madame this time.  Between the two of us the pastry plate was perfect, because now we got both savory and sweet - we inhaled the breakfast and slurped down our coffee.  Because coffee = life.  

hello teeny Beast's castle!

At 8;45 we headed out and got in line to wait for rope drop.  Usually they start letting pre-opening ADR's start riding on Mine Train before rope drop, but this was an Extra Morning Magic day, so there were people who paid like, $80 to have Fantasyland to themselves, and breakfast people became second class citizens (sob!).  That's okay, we still got in before the massive crazy rope drop crowd got there.  So pre-opening breakfast was a success - we got a delicious meal, we got to get into the park earlier, and we also got a ride in on Mine Train.  We win!

My original plan called for hopping on Peter Pan after Mine Train, but since we already did it Saturday night I opted to skip it.  Instead we headed to a FP machine and picked out our same day FP's.  Then we headed for Winnie the Pooh and the Haunted Mansion (a little different from ours, and I actually like it more).  We did Big Thunder, Splash Mountain and Pirates using our same day FP.    As we were heading from Haunted Mansion for Big Thunder though, it started raining.  We ran for cover under Diamond Horseshoe and pulled our ponchos out and on.  Then as we walked out into the rain...it sprinkled for a minute and stopped.  Seriously?  And this happened a few more times.  We kept saying God was messing with us - just as we pulled our ponchos on, the rain would stop.  And we'd have to take them off because the humidity turned the poncho into a sauna.

We sat in the front row.  We got wet :(

We were about to use our FP's for Jungle Cruise when it was shut down because of rain.  What??!!!  They converted it for an anything (except for Mine Train) FP, but I already had FP for all the stuff we wanted to do anyway.  Then I wanted to watch the 11 am show of Muppets History, but of course, that was also closed because of the rain.  Stupid rain!  What else was shut down because of the rain?  Mine Train.  -_-  So we walked away, FP's still unused.

That did not stop us from taking awesome in the rain selfies however!

big castle...

...teeny castle

It's a good thing I brought TWO ponchos AND my awesome dorky rain hat.  I must be prepared for all contingencies!  We got same day FP for Under the Sea (the ride is the same as DCA, but the queue  in Orlando is SO much better), so we did that before lunch and Philharmargic as well since it's indoors.

We poke around the shops (I half heartedly look for the rose sipper cups that are sold out anyway) and decide to head over to BOG for lunch a little early.  Literally as we're walking to the castle, it starts POURING.  Crazy hard.  My dumbass sat outside in the rain until JK was looking at me like I'm a moron and pulled me inside.  And they seated us early.

We had a big breakfast, and we were due for a big dinner, so we both opted for the braised pork in the kids portion along with their fantastic french onion soup (and we split the Master's cupcake...because come on, it's the gray stuff!) for a really satisfying lunch.  Because we sat in the ballroom for breakfast, we stood around and managed to snag a table in the west wing for lunch.

the kids portion of the braised pork: with green beans and mashed sweet potatoes.  I really liked this.  It's actually what I had on the last trip.  

This soup is so freaking good.  The gooey melty cheese, the savory broth.  My pet peeve for onion soup is that they're often too salty.  This one was tasty without feeling like I was licking a block of salt.

The Master's Cupcake: they charge for the gray stuff, but I don't care!  It's a super light chocolate sponge that's not cloyingly sweet

After lunch (behind schedule because of the rain!  which stopped after lunch 😑) we ran around to try to finish all the stuff we couldn't do in the morning.  The original plan called for us leaving the park by 3 pm for a nice long break since we didn't have anything until our 8 pm reservation @ Cinderella's Royal Table.  But...that didn't happen.  I can't remember what order we did everything in, but I'm pretty sure we did Enchanted Tales with Belle right after lunch using our FP because of its proximity to BOG.

It was cute.  It's probably cuter if you're with a kid who thinks all this is real.  All the parents were losing their minds taking photos of everything.  This was pleasant, but I wouldn't do it if it were a lot wait.

We also hit up Mine Train (as it opened up), Jungle Cruise, and Small World.  

         

Snow White's cute little cottage??

shout out to my people - 5,000 years of history distilled into two plate spinners.  Yay.

And we took a bunch of selfies.  Because that's the only time when it's acceptable - on vacation.  Not when you're on a toilet.  Or sitting on your couch.  That's just weird.

We then headed to Tomorrowland.  We weren't doing Space Mountain again, but I wanted do the Peoplemover (it was one  of my favorites at Disneyland and I'm still in mourning over it) and Carousel of Progress, which is super cute.  I was playing with the idea of buying the express transportation option to hop over to Epcot since our hotel was right next to Epcot, and on a lark got on my phone to see if there were any FP's available for Soarin' Around the World (which I was super excited about since I haven't done this version yet - and I had booked another pre-opening breakfast at Garden Grill for the following day JUST to get onto Soarin' without a wait) and found one for Soarin' at around 3:30.  So I booked it.  Then we did Carousel of Progress...unfortunately I fell asleep about halfway through, but it was a comfortable seat and it was air conditioned!  

We hurried over to the express transportation kiosk by Buzz Lightyear once we were done at CoP and purchased our tickets ($29/7 days for our trip) and got super lucky as they escorted us to a bus that was JUST about to depart to Epcot.  They actually held it up for us.  Score!  But the buses are staggered - and buses to Epcot from MK are on the 10 and 40 of every hour...so every half hour there's a roomy air conditioned bus to your park of choice, where you are let off backstage inside the park and get to bypass security.  How is this not the best thing evah???

We hop onto the bus, and after swaying around in our air conditioned seats for about 15 minutes, enter the backlot of Epcot (there are signs EVERYWHERE saying NO PICTURES) and enter the park by Spaceship Earth (the golf ball).  We head to Soarin' Around the World and get on the ride in under 10 minutes with FP, and it's so much fun!  Yes, there's a lot of CGI (it seems pretty seamless though), but I don't care!  I like it!  We also then cancelled our pre-opening breakfast for the next morning as we now don't have to rush over to do Soarin' since we've already done it. We grab a snack at Sunshine Seasons (need to fuel up as we're running on fumes at this point), manage to grab a FP for Spaceship Earth and ride that too.  At this point, we're literally being powered by the fish tacos and red velvet whoopie pie we wolfed down and stagger through the World Showcase (while admiring the gorgeous foliage and flower arrangements from the Flower and Garden Festival) and head to our room.  Uh...all told, we're going to have less than an hour to rest before we have to leave for MK for our reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table.  Well...it's better than nothing!

We wipe ourselves down (gross sweat and dust) and I plop on my bed while JK falls onto her "dirty bed" (which is just the couch's cushions that have been displaced as she's got the bed out).  We watch 2 episodes of Blackish and loathe to get back into our sweat soaked park clothes, we pull out our muumuus to have dinner with fake princesses.  We were both so tired at this point we probably wouldn't have gone back to the park if we didn't already pay for the dinner (they make you pay up front when you make a reservation at CRT); I was actually considering throwing away the $75 I already paid, but my cheap Chinese soul couldn't do it.  

The hour that we spent laying around did make a difference though.  There was no pep in our steps, but at least we weren't dragging our feet now.  Muumuu'd out, we go to the bus stop and wait for the MK bus...which arrived in like, 10 minutes.  I swear, we got so lucky - we never had a long wait for a bus and we always got a seat.  It was magical!.  

waiting for the bus

our Disney nail game was strong

They allowed us to walk up the ramp to the castle because we had ADR's for CRT.

The mosaics inside the castle are gorgeous - I don't think I even saw them the last trip I was here - but I'm wondering if these are the same ones that Tokyo Disney have - because I went when I was 4 and vaguely remember the Cinderella story inside the castle.

Once we checked in, they call everyone who had an 8 pm reservation and we all entered.  There are benches along the wall to sit on while waiting to be called upstairs (where the dining room is), but upon entry, everyone lined up to take a photo with Cinderella.  So while waiting in line, I just stared at all the details from INSIDE the castle!

My favorite detail?  (hard to see because I didn't bring my real camera with the zoom, just my dinky phone) Gus Gus and Jacques!

Was it a little weird that 2 middle-aged Asian women waited to take photos with a 20 year old pretending to be a fictitious princess?  Maybe.

Then we saw on a bench and waited to be called...which ended up being less than  10 minute wait.  And up the spiral stairs we walked...and we see this pretty window:

It was pretty!  I knew what it looked like from photos, but it was still fun to be inside.  I can't say I had to eat there, but I'm glad we had the chance to.  But yeah...this is probably not something I'm going to do again.  The food was good...but it wasn't $74 good.  It was more like $40 good.  But it was worth it to have the opportunity to see inside the castle.

We got lucky and were seated by the window.  I booked 8 pm not because of any kind of strategy, but that at 181 day out, that was literally the only time available.  I seriously got up at 4 am 181 days out to book CRT.  It was fortuitous though, that we got 8 pm AND got a window seat, because we could see some of the pyros for Wishes during dinner.

This is a prix fixe meal with gratuity and fountain drinks included in the $74 price.  

the Charcuterie plate: "A Selection of Cured Meats, Cheese, and other specialty selections of the Castle"

We both opted for the beef and shrimp, described grilled beef tenderloin with "fingerling potato confit", shrimp and seasonal vegetables.

There were only 2 shrimp, but they were crisp instead of mushy and the beef was nice and tender.  Not Mastro's level, but definitely tasty.

For dessert we had the cheesecake and I think some sort of spice cake?  I can't remember, but I do remember they were both pretty tasty.

The worst part for us?  The highlight of the meal for little girls.  They were squealing when their favorite princesses came by, but for us it was just awkward.  JK was a good sport an took a photo with Snow White so we didn't seem too creepy and weird.

And they gave us a wand, which we ended up waving around for the rest of the night.

Promptly at 9 pm, we could hear the music to Wishes and see the fireworks.  This is a unique and fun way to see it (and I guess now Happily Ever After), but only if you've already seen it the way  it's meant to be seen: in front of the castle by the hub.  When you actually know it, then the perspective from the castle is fun.

They turn off some of the lights so it's kind of dim and we could see some of it out the window.

This is what the castle looked like during the fireworks:

By the time we were done, it was about 9:30 pm...and there were still people lined up outside for the next seating!  What??!!

looking back at where we just ate

We wander over to Haunted Mansion where I stare lustfully at a new tank top with the Haunted Mansion motif in etoile.  JK felt sorry for me and bought it for me.  Yay for awesome tank tops!

We then toddle back towards Main Street where they started Once Upon a Time.  We catch a photopass photographer for a few photos and wander over closer to the castle to watch the show again.

The park closed at 10 pm, an in an effort to avoid the rush of bodies out, we wander over and look through the shops souvenir shopping again.  After about a half hour, we deem it safe and exhausted, we head towards the Beach Club bus stop...where there was no bus and nobody else.  Oh well.  But then, a very nice man in a big bus pulls up...he was actually going to the Boardwalk, but seeing as the two of us were standing around looking like doofuses, he waved us on and a guy heading to the Dolphin also got on.  So the very nice bus man took us on a tour of the Epcot resorts, where the Dolphin guy got dropped off first, and us second.  And the poor Boardwalk people, whose bus we had commandeered, got dropped off last.

We were exhausted.  And dirty.  We had to shower.  And being true pioneer women (not!), we also did some of our laundry (tank tops and shorts that were soaked in gross sweat) in the sink and bath tub so we didn't feel gross rewearing some of our clothes.

Then it was time for bed.  I texted a goodnight to my family so they knew I was still alive and fell asleep watching Blackish.

The next day, we have another long day at Epcot...our last day at Disney World (sob!).  😭