"Enjoy these moments; they are precious"-Lesley's EPIC May TR!-COMPLETED-10/2-Last stops at Flower & Garden and Wrap Up

As boring as the conference was I'm sure it was nice knowing they got you there earlier! haha I, like you, am not a coffee drinker and pop doesnt always have enough caffiene for conferences like that!!!

Sounds like a great couple of days though! How funny that you could see Su-Lynn and Su-Queen getting on the other boat!

Shame you didn't like Morimotos!! But thats the benefit to Disney and how many other options there are to try! Honestly, I feel like I'm happier when a meal doesn't live up so I don't have to try to fit it in anymore! lol
 
Finally caught up!

Thanks for all the SWGE pictures and info! I'm amazed with how many times you got to ride!

At least you made it through your conference days and just got to go on with your WDW trip!
 
I had discovered the previous day that the Hyatt Regency only has Pepsi :crazy2:, no Coke, so I made sure to bring a bottle with me this time! I don't like coffee so sodas are my main form of caffeine!
I agree with you on the nastiness of coffee, but totally disagree on your soda choice. Don't like coke at all. Different strokes for different folks.

Unfortunately, it ended up being a misnomer, as basically 2 architects who know nothing about Imagineering just decided to try and relate some general ideas back to their projects, but overall, basic info.
I think they ought to be sued for using the term and not being able to deliver the goods. False advertising.
 


I didn't like Morimoto the first time I ate there a few years ago, but tried it again in June and loved it. I can still taste those yummy ribs!!!
Those ribs were delightful!
I love the phone case, I need a new one, May have to pick one up in August!

Soon we meet!
The otterboxes are very reliable! And yes - you do arrive shortly!
I am obsessed with D&B's and came home from my March trip with the Flower and Garden tote. I love it!
I ended up buying my first proper D&B purse last week - the Disney cat one! I couldn't resist it!
I was going to say that Didn't you already have this... but...
Ahhhh I see.
Yup - my previous one was really falling apart and had been stained a bluish color after it was in the pocket of a new pair of shorts that still had loose dye! I knew I needed a new one so I waited for WDW!
This is the most perfect ornament, I need it!
It was pretty cute!
REFUND!!! REFUND!!! REFUND!!!!
Haha, well I didn't pay for the conference, so I guess my company would get the refund! I was sitting too close to the front too to be able to duck out quickly!
Somewhere in POR there is a family that was due to get this and didn't make it home!
Haha - it did have my actual name in it, just no flight info!
That is weird. One thing I didn't like during our trip to Moriomoto is a. how quickly the food came out and b. that it wasn't timed at all. We shared a bunch of dishes and had like 6 on our table all at once.
Yeah we had that issue too - very little space for all the food!
We love getting an ornament on every trip. I especially love the resort ornaments. We have quite the collection, but I'll never forget the Coronado Springs and Wilderness Lodge ones we couldn't find on those trips. I'll find them some day!
I ended up getting a Wilderness Lodge one at the store, but it's not really a typical ornament. It's more a wood board. I'll include it in my December TR.
Ahh! I've never seen this particular egg before!
Wasn't it cute!
Morimoto is a place I'm always interested in, but never actually book. I'm not a huge fan of Asian flavors, although my family is. I love sushi though, and that would be my main draw. So weird Su-Lynn's sushi took longer than the cooked items
Hmm, yeah, it would be hard. The sushi selection also didn't look like the most variety. I've been wanting to try Kimonos at the Swan because I hear its good sushi.
two hours for breakfast? Long. We usually do 30 minutes to an hour.
I think it was designed as a networking breakfast. It was also in the exhibit hall with the various sponsors at booths around the outside edge. It was a bit weird sitting there eating breakfast while lonely sponsors are just sitting there...
But I will have a Pepsi from time to time, just to remind myself that I like Coke better.
Haha! I'm not excited about the Pepsi option in Shanghai Disney!
Protection. The most important part of a phone case.
You better believe it! My phone doesn't come out of the box until I have a screen protector and an otterbox case ready for it!
 
I wanted to wait to read your SWGE recap for when I had time to devote to the updates. And I'm glad I did because they did not disappoint! I am a casual SW fan, but you sold me on the new land. It looked amazing and truly immersive. I can't wait to try that blue milk one day, and I'm so glad my kids weren't around to see photos of your BB-* headband! They would have loved it!
Oh I bet they would/will love it! I visited over the weekend with someone and her 4-yr old son and he was pretty adorably in love with it all. She texted us quotes when he was describing it to his dad and it was cute!
You and I are kindred spirits in this. So I appreciate your comments on what is and isn't spicy!
Yeah, spice and me don't mix well! Luckily Disney isn't too bad in that regard!
Oh man I would totally wear that if they made it for adults!!
I know! I loved that shirt! Oh well...
Everything looks SO good! I hear mixed reviews on Morimoto in general, "good-but-not-life-changing" seems to be the consensus.
Yeah. I mean the ribs were great and I've heard good things about most of their other dishes. It was just one of those places I didn't regret going but I'm not going to rush back to.
Sounds like a fun night in Disney Springs!
Yeah it was nice. Got some shopping done, which was good since I really didn't spend much time there at all on this trip!
As boring as the conference was I'm sure it was nice knowing they got you there earlier! haha I, like you, am not a coffee drinker and pop doesnt always have enough caffiene for conferences like that!!!
After the keynote address we had 15 minutes. I had to basically rush to the cafe and get some soda so I could have some caffeine + occupy myself with sipping it! It was the only thing that kept me away for the morning sessions!
Shame you didn't like Morimotos!! But thats the benefit to Disney and how many other options there are to try! Honestly, I feel like I'm happier when a meal doesn't live up so I don't have to try to fit it in anymore! lol
Very true! I have such a list of restaurants and I want to check off so many of them, it will be hard to do so!
Thanks for all the SWGE pictures and info! I'm amazed with how many times you got to ride!
It was great! I rode another 3x yesterday! Though once they add the other random missions I hope I'll be able to try them out too!
I think they ought to be sued for using the term and not being able to deliver the goods. False advertising.
Haha - the thing was it actually was a decent presentation topic in the end. They didn't need to try to hook people with the "imagineering" term!
 
I ended up buying my first proper D&B purse last week - the Disney cat one! I couldn't resist it!
Oh my gosh! I am obsessed with that bag!!! What silhouette did you choose? I can't wait to see it in person next week.... just may have to convince DH to get it for me for an anniversary present!
 


Oh my gosh! I am obsessed with that bag!!! What silhouette did you choose? I can't wait to see it in person next week.... just may have to convince DH to get it for me for an anniversary present!
I got the Annual Passholder one. I prefer longer shoulder straps and liked that design more than the larger satchel or tote! Definitely the most expensive purse I've ever bought, but it's too cute!
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I got the Annual Passholder one. I prefer longer shoulder straps and liked that design more than the larger satchel or tote! Definitely the most expensive purse I've ever bought, but it's too cute!
Oh my gosh....I am in LOVE!!! That is the bag I would want as well. And you got great placement! :love:
 
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(Oh funny TR story – I’m looking at the photo above and am like, something doesn’t feel right about it…so I decide to rotate 180 degrees. Yup – upside down! Which I guess demonstrates how still the water was that morning)
That's amazing and funny at the same time. Cool pic!!!

I hopped in a Lyft over to the conference; it was held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, about 15-20 minutes away depending on traffic.
So, you mean it was about a mile away? :lmao:
I thought it was further than that.

Of course, with only a couple hours of sleep and not exactly the most invigorating of conference topics, I nearly fell asleep a few times! Oops.
Well, considering you had imagineers who weren't, that would put me to sleep too.
If you drank Pepsi instead of that awful stuff in the red bottle, that would help too. :laughing:

It was a pretty good meal, but it felt a bit weird to take photos, so I didn’t!
It's okay...not on Disney property, TR or DR pictures are not normal or necessary.
 
Oh my gosh....I am in LOVE!!! That is the bag I would want as well. And you got great placement! :love:
Oh that’s not mine! I’ll need to take a photo of my placement-basically shift Rajah to the center by an inch and that’s it. I wanted to make sure it had Oliver and Figaro because I love them!
 
Oh that’s not mine! I’ll need to take a photo of my placement-basically shift Rajah to the center by an inch and that’s it. I wanted to make sure it had Oliver and Figaro because I love them!
Aha! My dream cats bag will have Marie, Cheshire Cat and Figaro.....love all three! It'll be fun looking for it next week. :goodvibes
 
I agree with you on the nastiness of coffee, but totally disagree on your soda choice. Don't like coke at all. Different strokes for different folks.


I think they ought to be sued for using the term and not being able to deliver the goods. False advertising.
Coffee is nasty but espresso is a little better

I can't survive without caffeine
 
I got the Annual Passholder one. I prefer longer shoulder straps and liked that design more than the larger satchel or tote! Definitely the most expensive purse I've ever bought, but it's too cute!
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Oh man I soooo want this purse! When they first released it I thought about grabbing it. It has three of my favorite things: cats, pink, and Disney!
 
Breakfast was a simple bounty platter at Riverside Mill.

I don't think I've ever had a QS breakfast in Disney. I either make it in the villa, we go out to a TS restaurant, or I just grab a bagel/croissant/etc.

Of course, with only a couple hours of sleep and not exactly the most invigorating of conference topics, I nearly fell asleep a few times! Oops

I can say I've definitely been there as well.

Zach and I hadn’t quite decided if you could really say you were at Disneyworld unless you properly went under one of the arches…

I'm not sure I ever even noticed the arches until I joined the DISboards and learned that it was a thing. :laughing:

I just remember the eggs being pretty plasticy the day befor

They looked like powdered eggs. Another reason I'm not keen on trying QS breakfasts. I would go for what you had this time. I just realized I did have breakfast at Coronado at the Pepper Market, so I have done it once! :laughing:

I don't like coffee so sodas are my main form of caffeine!

Same with Fran, which is why she bulks up on Mtn Dew when we're there.

Turns out Su-Lynn was next to her, but I just didn’t see her at first!

What happened to Steve? :confused3

Morimoto Spare Ribs (pork ribs, cilantro, hoisin sweet chili glaze). This was delicious!

We had those a couple years ago. Very good!

Morimoto Peking Duck for two

I've always wanted to try that, but never had anyone else who would share it!

Overall, while I enjoyed the meal (for the company mostly), I wasn’t sold on Morimoto

I think it can be hit or miss. We had a great meal there back in March which will be coming up in an update soon on my TR.

We made a stop at Amorettes, where I picked up some treats for my breakfast the next morning!

I've always wanted to get something there, but it's all so fancy and expensive. Plus we usually have so much from Karamel Kuche back in the room, I can't justify more sweets!

But I did buy this shirt (which was handy to have when I had to unexpectedly change shirts one day),

I saw that same one in the store across from Soarin' in DCA. I liked the cut, but not the stripes. I'm already short and horizontal stripes make me look shorter and fat.

I ended up buying my first proper D&B purse last week - the Disney cat one! I couldn't resist it!

That's your first????? I caught the addiction a while back, I want to say it was with DL's 55th Anniversary purse. Now I'm a Dooney hoarder!

And I bought all three of the non passholder purses the day they came out a few weeks ago.

I got the Annual Passholder one. I prefer longer shoulder straps and liked that design more than the larger satchel or tote! Definitely the most expensive purse I've ever bought, but it's too cute!

I like the Totes, and the one I'm carrying now is the most expensive purse I've ever bought. I was a little disappointed that the tote in this series is really a Tote bag and not so much of a purse. It doesn't have enough pockets for me to carry it as a purse. I got the small one to use as a "park purse".

I wanted to make sure it had Oliver and Figaro because I love them!

That's funny! I wanted to make sure mine had Marie, Berlioz and Toulouse!
 
I had been wondering why I had not seen any of your post on SWGE. Then realized I wasn't caught up on your TR.
Several of my first quotes were eaten by the last computer that I was on so I had to start over. I'm not a SW fan and much of SWGE is lost on me, but I must admit there is so much more detail than I would have ever thought. Also hurray for animatronics that actaully look like they are from this century (not jerky).



Love this shirt

LOL everyone with their phones out.

Cute head band

. I was also impressed how they used real metal sporks and dishes, not disposable ones.
Yay. I'm sure that many of them stolen in the first week and so the had to resort to going to plastic.
WOW just WOW
Oh Yum

It was the first time I’ve gotten Sephora makeup and I was actually impressed with the quality.
Love Sephora makeup I work 12 hour shifts and the eye shadow really holds up for me.
Uh I'd say he looks constipated. Sorry Su-Lynn @chunkymonkey
Love POR this is the building we stayed in great location, especially if you have you own car. I hear the bus stops can be take forever here.
 
great trip report, it is going to take a long time to absorb all the details!

Thanks for sharing all the memories and pictures!
I hope it's not too long! I really just write it because I enjoy reliving my trips!
So, you mean it was about a mile away? :lmao:
I thought it was further than that.
Haha, sounds like LA traffic distances! It's about 10 miles away. And there really wasn't too bad of traffic either morning!
It's okay...not on Disney property, TR or DR pictures are not normal or necessary.
Good to know the rules :P
Aha! My dream cats bag will have Marie, Cheshire Cat and Figaro.....love all three! It'll be fun looking for it next week. :goodvibes
Good luck! Cheshire Cat is one of the cats in the print, so you'll have to check placements!
Coffee is nasty but espresso is a little better

I can't survive without caffeine
Yup - I even considered getting caffeine pills once!
Oh man I soooo want this purse! When they first released it I thought about grabbing it. It has three of my favorite things: cats, pink, and Disney!
I know, it's so cute!
I don't think I've ever had a QS breakfast in Disney. I either make it in the villa, we go out to a TS restaurant, or I just grab a bagel/croissant/etc.
I think when I was on my first trip we got a couple of the bounty platters. I haven't typically been getting QS, but in this case it made sense! Also - work was paying for it, so that was easy enough!
What happened to Steve? :confused3
I think he was doing rides in DHS? We did end up sending all our leftovers home with Su-Lynn for Steve to eat. (Morimoto said we couldn't take home the sushi, so when the waitress walked away, we snuck the last pieces into one of the to-go boxes!
I've always wanted to get something there, but it's all so fancy and expensive. Plus we usually have so much from Karamel Kuche back in the room, I can't justify more sweets!
Oh, you have to try it! Especially one time when you are staying at SSR or OKW! They aren't too bad costwise, the mini pastries are about $6 and totally worth it! There's no AP discount though.
That's your first????? I caught the addiction a while back, I want to say it was with DL's 55th Anniversary purse. Now I'm a Dooney hoarder!

And I bought all three of the non passholder purses the day they came out a few weeks ago.
Last fall I made my first purchase - a wristlet with the attraction ear hats. Then in April I bought a cross body with the Disney posters from around the world. So this was my first proper sized purse!
That's funny! I wanted to make sure mine had Marie, Berlioz and Toulouse!
I checked for them too! But priority was Oliver!
I'm not a SW fan and much of SWGE is lost on me, but I must admit there is so much more detail than I would have ever thought. Also hurray for animatronics that actaully look like they are from this century (not jerky).
The detail is truly amazing!
LOL everyone with their phones out.
Yeah - we could tell who was doing their first visit based on who had their phones out!
Yay. I'm sure that many of them stolen in the first week and so the had to resort to going to plastic.
Now they have proper metal forks. It's not the same as the sporks though!
 
Day 5 - May 1, 2019

Part 1 - The Lamest Park Anniversary Ever! And the Least Lame Water Park!

This morning I was hoping to get up early, as it was the 30th anniversary of Hollywood Studios, but I wasn’t really able to. After getting ready, I still had to finish packing and get my bags transferred over to Yacht Club.

I also had a brief breakfast with my yummy Amorette’s pastries! They really were all delicious!

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I didn’t really trust Disney to quickly transfer my bags, so I kept all of my things I needed that day with me and lyfted over to YC with my carry-on roller and backpack (in the end, it didn’t matter as they had my larger things by the time I arrived at YC, so I could have sent everything). I dropped off the roller with bell services and headed to DHS via the boat, arriving at 9:40am. I think when I arrived at DHS I got the room ready text!

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This was my first time visiting this park since December (mom and I didn't visit in February), and it was a bit crazy! Lots of people were lined up waiting for the 10am “celebrity cavalcade” they had been promoting.

I did stop for Photopass

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I had hoped the merchandise lines had died down from the crazy rope-drop crowds, but unfortunately the line was 90 minutes long – um, nope! Especially since I didn’t really care about the merch and instead was going to get something for my friend. Luckily, Zach was at DHS too, so later that day he was able to get the items I was planning on (minus the AP magic band for Dina, which sold out that morning).

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Instead, I was able to get a rope spot for the parade that was about to start, so I figured I would stick around for that.

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Unfortunately, it was pretty much the lamest celebration parade ever. First, they had a red convertible drive down, however it was totally empty. Turns out Mickey and Minnie were in that car and got out at the main stage, about 1/3 of the way through the parade. Everything interesting happened at that stage, which was 50% blocked off for TV cameras, 25% blocked out for VIPs, and the remainder was snatched up by people who got there at park open. So the vast majority of people there for the "parade" ended up missing almost all of the interesting parts, which was pretty lame.

They also had an Indiana Jones unit (who did a stunt thing, again, only by the stage), a group of Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, with the princess/prince in a horse-drawn carriage and some dancers walking around them, but again, pretty basic.

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The Toy Story group was somewhat amusing, with marching Toy Soldiers and Luxo-ball convertibles. Though it was pretty short.

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I was at first excited to see the SWGE unit, but it ended up just being about a dozen CMs in their outfits walking and waving.

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And that was it. Yup. Pretty lame.

It was really disappointing because they could have done so much more. Like a whole parade of marching Stormtroopers. Or other characters in classic Hollywood outfits. Bunches of rare characters. I mean, they definitely have those costumes and the people to wear them, it just seemed Disney didn’t even care. Definitely didn’t help my opinion of it, as it happens to be my least favorite park.

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