“I do not deal with my problems like I know I should” - F&W Fest 2018 - Update 1/20 Going Home

I didn't know there were egg rolls at the dessert party! I am even more excited now!
Glad to let you know they exist! They were definitely a hot ticket and needed to be refilled a time or two from what I saw. Enjoy your visit to that dessert party!
 
Pesky Gordon

I think I woke up sometime around 6AM. I knew it wasn’t going to take me long to get ready as I just needed to throw a couple things in the suitcase and get my stuff to the car. My mother and I took our separate vehicles to the Boardwalk since I was going to be leaving directly after and she was switching over to the Yacht Club for the rest of her vacation. She ended up beating me there by a few minutes since I was parked much further away than her at the Grand Floridian. We arrived to Trattoria around 7:15AM, thus we needed to wait until the restaurant opened to check in. While we were waiting, I was teaching my mother about Airdrop so that she could get copies of some of my photos from the weekend. We were among the first seated and placed in the back of the restaurant. I could tell once the characters got announced what exactly their path was going to be which put us meeting them quickly after they were in the room.

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Menu

To start the meal, we were given a basket of pastries. I took the phyllo dough sun which was sweet and crispy. My mother had a muffin and something else. We ended up leaving some of this behind as we knew we had more coming.

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Variety of Pastries

The fruit salad was brought out shortly after. Pretty basic mix of fruit but it was fresh at least.

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Fruit Salad

I went with the tower of pancakes for my meal. This was definitely a very tall tower! Too bad Apple hadn’t made the measurement app yet for me to tell you how tall it was...I was happy with these and was even happier when they boxed up half since I was full as I knew I could use the pancakes for dog training opportunities later.

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Tower of Pancakes with No Fruit Seasonal Fruit Compote with Bacon

My mother got the Royale Breakfast. The steak was just ok to her but it was cooked to her likely - the cut of meat is just tough. The egg torte was ‘nasty’ according to her but was happy with the breakfast and potatoes. As it was a character meal, she was fine that the meal was only okay.

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Royale Breakfast - Oak-Grilled Steak, Cheesy-Egg Torte and Fonduta w/ Breakfast Potatoes and Crispy Onions

As we were served our entrees, the characters were getting announced one by one to go around the room. First up was the rascal, Flynn Rider. My mother and I split getting photos between the two of us - I got the men and she got the girls. Flynn Rider is a smooth talker and we catched about Pascal.

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Flynn Rider

He had left my table but when Rapunzel came into the room, he left and ran right up to her! Such a fun interaction to watch.

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Flynn with Rapunzel

Prince Eric was next and he was fine. Not as personable as Flynn but what Prince is?

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Prince Eric

Ariel came out and my mother and I both remarked that she was so tiny which made the wig/dress look a bit awkward on her as it didn’t fit quite right. She was nice to meet and they did a conga line with all the children when she was announced.

Overall a decent meal and I’m glad I did it once. Don’t think I need to do it again though.

Towards the end of breakfast when were eating, I looked at my phone and noticed a message from my husband. He said to look at the weather.

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Yeah, that would be what I was driving home into and I wanted to avoid the eye. So we quickly got done and paid. I said goodbye to my mother. She was transfering over to the Yacht Club for the rest of her stay there.

The drive home was fine up until about 10:15. I made it to my highway exit around 11:30AM when the rain was starting to get a little heavier but I stopped by Publix to get food for dinner and drinks so that I wouldn’t need to leave home again. Glad I made it before it got worse! Don't do what I do and drive into Tropical Storms that are just hitting land. My poor dogs were not happy to not be able to play outside all afternoon/evening! I was also glad we didn't get power fluctuations until after I got my laundry done since I was leaving the next day for Indiana for work.

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Drive Leaving Disney

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Screenshot of Weather at 10:15


If you ever wanted to know what it looks like driving into a storm...

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View on Highway Heading Home

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Screenshot of Weather Once Home Post Grocery Store Run

And with that, Trip #1 comes to a close. At least I don’t have too much longer to wait until Trip #2!​
 
Wow, looks like they've made some additions to the HEA dessert party. I went to it in April since I thought it would be the easier way of viewing the fireworks show. as well. There were no egg rolls and we didn't get the bag of Ghirardelli chocolates either. Nice touch!

I can't stand otherwise going to the night shows or parades, especially at MK. I thought I would have a better chance of viewing the fireworks by going to the dessert party (I did the terrace viewing party). Thought I had a good viewing area, but as usual once the show started, up went the kids onto their parents shoulders in front of me, and I missed most of the castle projections!

Glad you made it home safely!

I always enjoy your dining and trip reports! Looking forward to more!!! Hope you enjoy your November trip, too!
 
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Oof, gnarly storm! Breakfast looks like it was a nice way to end the trip. I want those pancakes! Are they made in some kind of mold to look like that or do you think they cut circles out of a bigger pancake? This is the fodder of my carby breakfast fantasies :cloud9:
 


Yikes glad you got a good meal in before venturing into the eye of the storm!!!!
 
I really enjoyed the Bon Voyage breakfast. I got the pancakes like you did and also thought it was quite a tall tower. I didn't even finish all of them. Glad you made it through the storm!
 


Those pancakes look GOOD! What a fun breakfast before you have to head back to reality. And your lucky mom heading to Yacht Club for more fun! Ugh on driving into a storm. I get so much anxiety in those torrential downpours when it’s so hard to see. Glad you made it back safe and sound. And with another trip on the horizon, which is the only way to end a trip!
 
Fun! Breakfast, not the storm! Eek! I’m looking forward to taking my kids to the BonVoyage breakfast.
 
Love those pancakes; anything bread I love. That's why I have to hold back (at times).

Glad you made it home okay. That was one scary looking storm. Our power always goes out at the slightest mist. The joys of living out in the sticks.

I think you started your new job? That is always such a transition in life. Hope all is going well.

Can't wait for trip #2. I will find you. I will let you know if we survive our weekend of Oct. 12!

Thanks for your report!!
 
Wow, looks like they've made some additions to the HEA dessert party. I went to it in April since I thought it would be the easier way of viewing the fireworks show. as well. There were no egg rolls and we didn't get the bag of Ghirardelli chocolates either. Nice touch!

I can't stand otherwise going to the night shows or parades, especially at MK. I thought I would have a better chance of viewing the fireworks by going to the dessert party (I did the terrace viewing party). Thought I had a good viewing area, but as usual once the show started, up went the kids onto their parents shoulders in front of me, and I missed most of the castle projections!

Glad you made it home safely!

I always enjoy your dining and trip reports! Looking forward to more!!! Hope you enjoy your November trip, too!

They have made some additions from what I saw on the dessert party threads. The chocolates were such a nice touch and I'm glad there were a variety of savory options. It's needed to cut into the amount of sugar that is around.

I enjoyed the Star Wars in June but we did that as a dessert party as well and I'm going again in November this time with my husband.

At least with the table right next to the wall - the kids couldn't get in front of us! They were to the side of us though.

I have some planning changes I"ll post in the upcoming week once I get that handled.

Oof, gnarly storm! Breakfast looks like it was a nice way to end the trip. I want those pancakes! Are they made in some kind of mold to look like that or do you think they cut circles out of a bigger pancake? This is the fodder of my carby breakfast fantasies :cloud9:

Tropical Storms are such of a lesser issue around here as they are normally really similar to our usual thunder storms. Driving in them sucks either way!

I think they are made with a mold as there is a bit of an overlap on the very top on one of the pancakes. I'm assuming molds were also help cut down on the waste.

Fun way to end your trip! :) Well, until the storm. Glad you beat it home! :)

It was such a nice way to end! I'm glad I got to do it with my mom since my husband would never do that.

Yikes glad you got a good meal in before venturing into the eye of the storm!!!!

Yup! Good food is always a great way to enjoy Disney before heading home!

I really enjoyed the Bon Voyage breakfast. I got the pancakes like you did and also thought it was quite a tall tower. I didn't even finish all of them. Glad you made it through the storm!

If a college male can't finish them, I feel better I needed to take half of them home with me!

Those pancakes look GOOD! What a fun breakfast before you have to head back to reality. And your lucky mom heading to Yacht Club for more fun! Ugh on driving into a storm. I get so much anxiety in those torrential downpours when it’s so hard to see. Glad you made it back safe and sound. And with another trip on the horizon, which is the only way to end a trip!

It was a nice break before reality! MY mother originally had 3 more nights left at the Yacht Club - she did end up coming home early as she was bored.

I get the anxiety but unfortunately - if I didn't deal with it - I wouldn't be able to drive sometimes so I just deal with the anxiety attacks. 29 more days until my next trip!

Fun! Breakfast, not the storm! Eek! I’m looking forward to taking my kids to the BonVoyage breakfast.

Your kids will have so much fun!

Love those pancakes; anything bread I love. That's why I have to hold back (at times).

Glad you made it home okay. That was one scary looking storm. Our power always goes out at the slightest mist. The joys of living out in the sticks.

I think you started your new job? That is always such a transition in life. Hope all is going well.

Can't wait for trip #2. I will find you. I will let you know if we survive our weekend of Oct. 12!

Thanks for your report!!

Bread is amazing. I should hold back more than I do but oh well!

Our power usually does pretty well unless its sustained for many hours. The stick living does have some of its own advantages though.

I did start my new job on Monday! It is such a nice transition so far but I still need to learn what I'll be doing.

Trip #2 will be in this same trip report so you don't have to search too hard at least!
 
Life Updates/Trip #2 Changes

At the end of September, I left my aerospace engineering job. Lots of reasons went into this decision but I’m happy that I made my choice. I started working in the government sector on October 1st. It’s nice having a job that is a true 40 hour work week. Luckily, my two major trips that were planned (the November Trip and my September France) were discussed during the hiring process and even though I won’t have the vacation time to cover them, I can take them unpaid. Now I wouldn’t need to take a half day on November 1st and could leave that morning instead!

With having more time on my hands, I’m getting super excited for my November Trip. I even started packing…well, more so the suitcases are out. The only items in them are my ears, my swimsuit, the magic bands, our refillable mugs for Disney Springs, some alcohol and some of our standard RunDisney items like the mylar blankets.

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I also finally purchased our express passes for Universal. Since our tickets were free and we want to do both parks in 1 day, this will make sure that happens. As Universal/Islands of Adventures trips tend to be very ride heavy days that are a bit more intense than what Disney does, I know there is no way I’m carrying a purse or bag to the parks. I’m planning on wearing a sparkle skirt with a longer top and at least one of us will have a lanyard w/ pouch so that our express passes can be easily accessed during the day.

We’ll probably start in Universal and then move to Islands of Adventures.

Universal Rides/Shows

Must Do:
Men In Black Alien Attack
Revenge of the Mummy
Simpsons Ride
Transformers: The Ride 3D
Harry Potter & the Escape from Gringotts
Fast & Furious - Supercharged

Possible:
Hogwarts Express: King’s Cross Station - which side we do will depend on which park we start with
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
Shrek 4-D (Not sure if it will still be open then as I thought I heard a rumor it was closing}
E.T. Adventure - This has not aged well
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon - I enjoyed this ride in July 2017 with my mother but I hated the queue situation. I felt it took entirely too long to get onto the ride with the express pass.

Skip:
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster - Too Old
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - Never again after the ride restraint snafu of 2014. I’m sure it was a one time thing but I’m good.

Islands of Adventure Rides/Shows

Must Do:
The High In the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
The Cat in the Hat
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Skull Island: Reign of Kong

Possible:
Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station - which side we do will depend on which park we start with
Flight of the Hippogriff
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Jurassic Park River Adventure

Skip:
Storm Force Accelatron - Bleh on Teacups!
Caro-Seuss-el - Not our thing
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls - I don’t need to get soaked
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges - I don’t need to get soaked
Pteranodon Flyers - We won’t have a child with us
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall - Husband doesn’t enjoy these types of attractions and hasn’t been on Tower of Terror in years
Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey - We did this in Universal Hollywood in Jan 2017 and both felt rather ill afterwards. It could have been because of this being the last ride of the day and all the simulators got to us.​
 
Congratulations on the new job! Big changes like that can be nerve wracking so kudos to you!! So happy to hear you’re enjoying so far and it might bring a little more work/life balance. And hurrah for getting ready for Nov! I go before you and I haven’t even thought about packing. Super interested in the Universal leg of your trip. As a semi-local and huge Harry Potter fan (but sadly not big on thrill rides), I keep saying I need to go but never do it.
 
I am on the fence about a dessert party, I would love to do one except Andi doesn’t want to. You had a great view of the fireworks!

We really enjoyed Bon Voyage breakfast. I had this huge calzone, very good but way to much!

Not fun driving into a storm, yuck. That’s like us driving into a snow storm!

Exciting to be going again in November.
 
Congrats on your new job! Your packing looks like mine! Haha! The suitcases are out! Lol. Universal will be so fun! There are so many things there my kids will love. I just don’t know what age is best to take them?!
 
At the end of September, I left my aerospace engineering job. Lots of reasons went into this decision but I’m happy that I made my choice. I started working in the government sector on October 1st. It’s nice having a job that is a true 40 hour work week. Luckily, my two major trips that were planned (the November Trip and my September France) were discussed during the hiring process and even though I won’t have the vacation time to cover them, I can take them unpaid. Now I wouldn’t need to take a half day on November 1st and could leave that morning instead!

Congrats on the new job! As a fellow gov't worker, that true 40 hour work week is one of the best benefits. :) And yay for still being able to do your trips, even if it is LWOP. That's what we had to do with DH since he started a new job in August. Your Universal plans sound busy! Express Pass will be a must...though I admit I'm curious about the Rip Ride Rockit fiasco of 2014... :)
 
Congratulations on the new job! Big changes like that can be nerve wracking so kudos to you!! So happy to hear you’re enjoying so far and it might bring a little more work/life balance. And hurrah for getting ready for Nov! I go before you and I haven’t even thought about packing. Super interested in the Universal leg of your trip. As a semi-local and huge Harry Potter fan (but sadly not big on thrill rides), I keep saying I need to go but never do it.

It was nerve wracking but a week in, I can already tell it will be better for my work/life balance. Now I just need to learn to sleep in until 6:30AM in the morning as my body wants to wake up at like 5AM as its been trained to do for the last ten years. We'll get there!

I thought about it as I noticed Gantu was nosing the suitcases so I figured I might as well move them and make them safer.

My husband is super excited for the Harry Potter stuff as he hasn't done the Universal Orlando. We only had the short time at Universal Hollywood. You should do it!

I am on the fence about a dessert party, I would love to do one except Andi doesn’t want to. You had a great view of the fireworks!

We really enjoyed Bon Voyage breakfast. I had this huge calzone, very good but way to much!

Not fun driving into a storm, yuck. That’s like us driving into a snow storm!

Exciting to be going again in November.

Aw...why does Andi not want to do the dessert party? Totally play up the lack of crowds! Its the best way to enjoy the show either there or at the Plaza Gardens. The Plaza probably has a better view of the projections but I still go the point of them.

I saw that calzone as it has the huge fork in it!

It is like you driving into a snow storm - it sucks but you know you have to do it if you want to get home.

24 more days! This is our big vacation of the year for my husband and I so I'm ready for us to have our fun away from home.

Congrats on your new job! Your packing looks like mine! Haha! The suitcases are out! Lol. Universal will be so fun! There are so many things there my kids will love. I just don’t know what age is best to take them?!

Thank you! I think the best age to take them is that middle school/high school range as the rides are more thrill than Disney which makes that age group super happy.

Congrats on the new job! As a fellow gov't worker, that true 40 hour work week is one of the best benefits. :) And yay for still being able to do your trips, even if it is LWOP. That's what we had to do with DH since he started a new job in August. Your Universal plans sound busy! Express Pass will be a must...though I admit I'm curious about the Rip Ride Rockit fiasco of 2014... :)

It is a great benefit! I love it!

The Rip Ride Rockit Fiasco of 2014 is as follows (I was wrong - it was 2013)

I have done many rollercoasters in my time. This is the first time I've ever been truly frightened before launching onto the ride. It wasn't because of the vertical decent. It was because as we are moving along the moving track & everyone is locking their restraint, we had ours reopen about 3 times. In fact we were about 3 feet from starting our climb up the vertical wall, still moving when it opened again. The vehicle did stop at least about the time I think I screamed - more than when the blade guy startled me in Cabin in the Woods.
 
Great report! Same here for our November trip. I have the suitcases out and only a few things are in there. Ears, Disney shirts, some toiletries. Not much but I'm almost there!
 
Congrats on the new job!!! My trip is coming up quick which means that your November trip is also fast approaching! Your Universal must-do's sound great! That rip rocket ride looks SCARY I don't blame you for passing on that one!
 
I don't know if I've quoted yet, but I enjoyed your Trip #1 report!

Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey - We did this in Universal Hollywood in Jan 2017 and both felt rather ill afterwards. It could have been because of this being the last ride of the day and all the simulators got to us.
I felt the same way the first time I did it at Universal Hollywood. Did you have the 3D goggles then? Because I did it again when they switched away from 3D (in Hollywood and Orlando) and it was much much better!
 

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