Our Happily Ever After Begins at WDW... An August 2016 Disneymoon report! The Re-write!

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I bought a sven plush for myself after much debate:



We finished up World Showcase, and decided to do Test Track

 

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After TT, we went to Innoventions, and did Sum of all Thrills one last time. I tried to get a photo of the ground, because I love it. The glitter doesn't show well in the photo though.

 

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After that we went and rested a bit by the fountains, facetimed with my SIL and niece and nephew, and waited to head over to check-in for the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party!

ILLUMINATIONS SPARKLING DESSERT PARTY
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We were suppose to arrive at 8 for the party, so at 7:30 we made our way over to that area. I thought we were way too early, but there was already a long line of people lined up to enter. We got wristbands and were let into the roped off area. There were tables lined against the railing (very, very close to each other) with really pretty turquoise linen tableclothes, and led wand-type centerpieces. We grabbed the first table we could find that was against the railing, because they had really filled up fast. We were right behind a huge bush and the giant torch thing (I have no clue what they're called) that has the fire during the show. I kept nagging DH for us to find a better table, but he went on a search and said we should stay put. There was a full row of tables behind us, that would completely be blocked by our row of tables, with no one taking those. I don't really know why they set the tables up like that. There was one table open to the left us, even more blocked by the bush, and 2 tables further down with different obstructions. He kept reassuring me that the show was far enough away that the bush and torch wouldn't be an issue.

 

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I went over to scope out the desserts. There was a table right near us, and another one at the far end of the roped off area. The table closest to us had mini cannolis, rice krispie treats, brownies, some kind of chocolate tort, and baklava. A cast member was telling people that both tables had the same desserts, but I started seeing people with fresh fruit and pretzel bread on their plates, so I decided to check out the other table. Sure enough, the other table had some sort of cheese fondue, pretzel bread, some kind of berry trifle, and fresh fruit.

There was also a center station with teas, coffees, ice water, iced tea, lemonade, and 2 cast members "bartending". The had 2 different types of champagne out, with flavored syrups we could add. They also had a fruit juice punch, that they would add rum to. They were super friendly and funny, and were not stingy with the rum!

As far as the food, I liked the cannolis a lot. The other desserts, I could take or leave. They weren't bad, I'm just not a huge fan of rice krispie treats (DH likes them a lot though), and the brownies and baklava were just ok. I didn't try the pretzel bread/fondue combo, but DH said the fondue tasted ok. He said the pretzel bread was really stale though.

 

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They do ID, so be sure to have it with you!

 

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I was excited that we splurged on something, and the cast members do you make you feel special. We squeezed in between tables to stand at the railing and watch the torch as it lit up. It felt really romantic. Then a group showed up at the empty table next to us, so I had to kick DH to the other side of our table, since there's really only standing room for 2 people between each table at the railing. So you're forced to watch the show squeezed next to a person from the table next to you on all side. I just didn't think it was set up very well. I decided to make the best of it, and stop nitpicking, and DH had the idea to just move the table back once the show started so we could squeeze in front of it to be next to each other.

 

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We actually were able to watch the HS fireworks with a great view first, then Illuminations started. It was beautiful, as usual, and I teared up watching it. I know Wishes is usually the sentimental show for most people (I cry during that too though), but I have really vivid memories of watching Illuminations with my Nan and Pop when I was younger. My Pop passed away 2 years ago, and my Nan has Alzheimers and dementia now, so I was thinking of them a lot this trip, and of our memories. Last trip, we didn't get to see Illuminations, so I was happy DH finally got to see it.
The bush was a non-issue. The torch was right in the middle of our view, but I didn't care. It was still beautiful.
The first ones of our view from HS fireworks, followed by Illuminations.

 

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Then it was time for my least favorite part, fighting the crowds to get out of the park. It wasn't as bad as I expected. We stopped to pickup our packages that we had delivered to the front of the park, and there was a ton of people doing the same thing. There was also a ton of people picking up their confiscated selfie sticks at the same place.

 

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I have no idea how or why, but DH decided we were still hungry when we got back to CSR. We decided to stop at Pepper Market and get some food to bring back to the room. DH got pepperoni pizza, and I got the Chicken Picatta, which was surprisingly really good. It actually ended up being one of my favorite meals. DH said his was good too. I forgot to take pictures before we started eating, so I took pictures of what was left:






Then I took some more photos of the room:













Then we finally called it a night.

UP NEXT: MAGIC KINGDOM / OUR LAST DAY

 

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DAY 7: MAGIC KINGDOM
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I tried to savor every moment of our last day. I had a small list of things I wanted to get done on our last day:
-See the new PP queue
-Get celebrating buttons
-See Mickey's Friendship Faire
-Check out BOG and the surrounding area

We were at MK before rope drop, and took our time taking in Main street.

 

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On our first MK day, the crane was up, but they had it positioned directly behind the castle, in a way that it didn't appear in photos. Today, it was out in all it's glory.

 

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We did PP first, since we didn't have a FP+ for it.
The effects in this queue are absolutely adorable. I loved every second of it!

 

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We then went to see Beast's castle and check out BOG





Anastasia and Drizella were out



The hostess was out front checking people into BOG. I asked if we were allowed to go in just to look, and was told no, not without a reservation. So now BOG is on our list for next trip!

 

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We stopped by Gaston's Tavern for breakfast. I got the cinnamon roll, and DH got some kind of meat (ham, I think) and cheese pocket. We both liked them. The cinnamon roll was giant, and to me it tasted like a cross between a maple donut and cinnamon roll. It was very good.

 

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We headed to see Philharmagic one more time

 

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