Photo TR: Stuart & Ashley's Spring Break at WDW

[jackskellington101]

Another spring break, another trip to WDW. Hurray! Ashley and I, once again, come down to work and play at the World that is Walt Disney. As such, I took another whole ton of pictures once again. My count is around 100 this time, so get comfy. Yes, I'm bad a selecting but, more to enjoy right? This time around, Ashley and I had a goal of taking a picture of every piece of food we ate, so if you're hungry, go get a snack and enjoy! Oh, and hopefully soon Ashley will post her photos, so we can see her side of the story. That's the plan Stan.

 

This first set of pictures some Pop Century fun, Epcot exploring, and some solo photos of Downtown Disney. This set also spans about three days because I didn't take many pictures in the beginning of the week. Working hindered that.

Ah! Ashley's back! Hurray! Off to the next day I have pictures!

Ahh, sweet irony.

Sitting and waiting in the Pop Century for Ashley to finish her work, I saw this in the 90's environmental case...wait...what's that button?

Rock N' Roll Closed Club and, if the rumors are true, soon to be Rock N' Roll Rubble Club.

Rock N' Roll Beach Club...

Easter Stitch. Still spits.

Food picture #2! Cooke's of Dublin The Original One & One Hand-Battered Fresh Fish & Chips, at closing no less.

Food picture #1! Pop Century Chicken Penne Alfredo and a bowl of grapes.

Lil' Jon's new candy bar. What, it's apparently huge in Japan.

The Japanese cloaking device in uncloaked form.

This Ashley fist shake is two fold. 1) A fist shake for the sign. 2) A fist shake at France, who's history has been slowly sucking away her life for senior thesis.

These new corrugated plastic signs were EVERYWHERE. This survey of two says: ugly.

Look at that frozen coke goodness.

Unlimited Frozen Coke baby! One of the many reasons why Pop Century rocks.

Before anything though, we must was out our ever present collectors mug for one glorious thing.

[jackskellington101]

Having worked a bit at my lovely house, the Ashley and I were free to play as we wished! Therefore, we went to Blizzard Beach, a place Ashley had never been, and Animal Kingdom for their last hour. I will admit, I have no pictures from Blizzard. My camera is too bulky and I'm too paranoid of destroying it due to all that pesky water. No worries though Ashley, with her smaller, more portable camera than I, took all the Blizzard pictures for the day. Anywho, onward to Animal Kingdom!

A hint of what's to come? Maybe....ah no, no it's not. But confusing to, again, why it's in Animal Kingdom. Because it has a dog?

Though this would be lovely to have.

As much as I appreciate Mr. Skellington in my every day life, I don't quite see the connection with Animal Kingdom. Zero's a bit of a stretch really.

Ship to Old Key West? Huh? My only guess was that this area was an old DVC selling location.

Motor home POINT!

Flamingo POINT!

YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!

Dark and Stupid POINT! No matter how dark and stupid it is, there's still a soft spot in my heart for Dinosaur. I love to hate it. I miss you Countdown to Extinction.

I remember two years ago those trees were saplings. *sniff* They grow up so fast.

This picture too, though not required, is highly encouraged.

Much like the Tower at the end of Sunset picture, this picture of Everest is required in all Animal Kingdom Photo TR's. I think it's a law or something.

POINT!

10 min walk on wait for Everest?!? Yes, we'll take some of that please.

Yeti Ball! Did you mate with a Tribble?

I think these need to appear over at Mansion. Those giant spiders from the staircase had to go somewhere!

[jackskellington101]

After Animal Kingdom, onward to Animal Kingdom Lodge for one of our favorite restaurants on the property: Boma. Mmmmm...food. Best buffet you can find. It's also a whole bunch of food pictures! Hurray!

Boma plate #5: Dessert plate. Zebra dome, banana bread pudding with vanilla sauce, flowerless chocolate cake and apple crumble.

Boma plate #4: Mac and Cheese...which is Mac and Cheese.

Boma plate #3: Fruit plate. Grapes, strawberries, watermelon, and pineapple.

Boma plate #2: Main plate. Geelry's Rice, meelie bread, Bobotie, pot roast, some sausage I forgot, and potatoes with afritude.

Boma plate #1: Salad and soup plate. Watermelon rind salad, pasta salad and potato and bacon soup.

But we could wait at the Victoria Falls, but it's time to go in! Yay!

Boma sitting. Hopefully we'll get there soon.

Mmmm...Boma. Still have to wait though.

Fire sitting POV!

Ashley eagerly awaiting her food up in the AKL lobby.

[jackskellington101]

The final day to play. Boo. Well, we'll hit everything else then! A bit of magic Kingdom, a ton of Hollywood Studios and a final dinner at Epcot. Begin the hopping!

Stretching out for the block party. Or, in the moment, "I am the line!"

Ashley thought it was going to be just a standard picture, unaware of what was behind her.

Waiting for that new fangled old parade.

Can we catch a ride to Disneyland? Nah. Ok.

Two of my favorite things.

Another required photo, but the signs are DOING IT WRONG!

Air drying the frozen coke mug.

Duel preemptive fist shake for the future American Idol.

Including the cheap Chinese food! Kindly note the wonderfully plated chicken fingers and the chocolate cake with the cookie on top.

The nexus of suck, feeling more and more like a strip mall.

Hopefully, you'll be back here soon. You've already got the hat!

[jackskellington101]

Ah, Block Party Bash. I actually saw Block Party Bash in DCA and, frankly, I thought it was ok. One of my major thoughts for the parades is, at a minimum, the music needs to be up beat. The flush of down beat parades recently, stuff like the Parade of Dreams and Share a Dream Come True, seem to be a bad trend in my eyes. Give me something like Boo to You (and boo to you and you and you) any day. Block Party Bash definately has a up beat musical score and it's one you can actually sing to, if your lyrical brain works quick. In terms of the show stop part of the parade, it's the same as it ever was, just in a new place with a new audience. From what I could tell though, at least in our section, the guests were a bit dumbstruck with everything going on and didn't seem to be into it at all. It really felt like stand and watch, jaw agape, and clap politely at the end. Not exactly the reaction wanted. However, FL hasn't had a parade with show stops since the beginning of the Share a Dream Come True, so we'll just have to get use to it again. Personally, I enjoyed it, it's a fun little parade and a welcome addition.

And then the Incredibles appeared out of a bunch of blocks. Personally, I think they should have jimmied the parade a bit, added an Incredibles float and put Ratatouille characters in that spot. Ah well.

Even Ashley got into the act! They asked me too, but someone had to capture the moment...yeah...that's the ticket.

Everyone, do the point! Somewhere, John Travolta is crying. I don't know if the two are related though.

Everybody dance! It took a bit of persuading, but it happened.

More dancing...lots and lots of dancing.

Now, time to throw balls into the crowd. Of course, they do need them back, something that seemed to be lost on some people.

And a big finale for part one. The word "yeah" occurs a lot.

See, dancing. Dancing=party.

The sarge took Woody's spot and let the party begin!

Woody, Buzz and the whole Toy Story float was our float.

Mr. Potato Head waddling down the street.

Compared to the buildings on Hollywood Boulevard, the floats look huge!

The sarge MC running the whole show.

The new human powered floats!

Here it comes. Walking down the street. Getting curious looks from everyone they meet. Hey hey, it's a party. People say we party around...and I'll stop there.

[jackskellington101]

The rest of the Block Party Bash coming down the street, seeing it was basically done in the last set.

Dot, Flik, and Gypsy hiding behind them and they're the back end of the parade. Goo Bah! Wait...this isn't Westcoaster. Whoops.

The Bugs Life section. It's amazing to me how much Bugs Life is used when it really is one of the least known Pixar movies. Though many movies would kill to be a "least known Pixar movie".

Boo! Boo is still one of the cutest characters ever, though she's a little Omen like currently.

I wasn't expecting this tentacle to pop out of the wall. It must have been his day. I will applaud anyone who gets that joke.

Hi Sully! You're not stopping here.

Scoot away Toy Story people, on to see the Monsters Inc people.

Sarge surfing down to the next location.

Bye Jessie! It's time for you to move 30 feet to do it again.

So...much...stuff. That's a lot of motion.

GWAR! I SCOOT!

Then the random giant traffic cones explode in fire. Quick, Frozone, turn around!

First, we must scooter about. Of course, they are powered scooters, but scooter about none the less.

[jackskellington101]

Finishing up Hollywood Studios here. Yes, I take a lot of random pictures...I have a problem.

 

Speaking of problems, I have to editorialize a bit. In this set is a few Muppet Vision pictures. I'll first state that I love Muppet Vision. It's one of the few attractions that, no matter what, I feel the need to see every single time. Muppet Vision and the TTA both go into that category. I know, I'm weird. But anywho, I say this next part with love. Muppet Vision, you need a referb and you need it bad. Like two years ago bad. You're looking a little worse for wear. Just relax a bit, get freshened up. You know, there is another Muppet movie coming up. Maybe you could get nice and fresh for that! Now, I'm not saying change your film, that's classic, but maybe get with the 21st century and go digital. And I know there's a whole lot of potential that you haven't been able to show in a long time. Where are your in theater arrows sticking out of the wall? Where's Waldo's smoke when he burns rubber? Even your walls are all off center now. Just take a little time off, get all freshened up, and you will be your old self again. Thank you.

 

Now, on to the pictures.

More construction! OMG! It looks mostly done. Don't know for sure though. Where's Casey when you need him?

Nothing to see here...moving on. Though, I could be mistaken, but that nothing is brand new or I forgot nothing. Oh well.

Strange things afoot at the Backlot Theater. Not only is the theater getting enclosed, it's getting *gasp* double enclosed! Dun dun DUN! My guess: It'll be a permanent home for High School Musical or some Hanna Montana thing.

Everyone ready! Now remember, don't walk with them on. You may trip.

The Kristen Alvey memorial thrown MuppetVision glasses.

The other place Ashley wants to work. I wonder if they're hiring.

Aerosmith and Rock N Roller Coaster merch right next to Hanna Montana. I think a part of my soul became paralyzed.

"Elissa! I'm still waiting for you! Come on. You know you wanna drop 40 bucks for me."

[jackskellington101]

One last one. Though not too sad because it's Epcot for dinner! Hurray.

I never take pictures on the plane, but I just had to this time. I know it's blurry, but down there is Kings Dominion. I knew from all the trash cans. And this blurry image is the end of the 100 pictures of Spring Break. Enjoyment, I hope you had!

Final meal, the Pop Century breakfast platter. There wasn't much else at 6:00 am. Boo. Oh well.

A lovely image for all you Epcot fans. Please, gather your drool as you go.

After dinner, time for a little extra magic hours Test Track. Oh noes! We're stopped. Yes, the system went poopie so we actually got evaced! As geeky cast members, this was AWESOME!

Dessert to share, the Chocolate Ginger Cake. It was ok, the chocolate totally overpowered the ginger. If you want a ginger dessert, go over to China and get the caramel ginger ice cream.

Now THERE'S the stuff. The Ginza Gozan, tempura and sushi combo. That would be shrimp, scallop and vegetable tempura, a small seaweed salad, a collection of sushi (from left to right tuna, yellow tail, shrimp and California roll.) and steamed rice. That's the stuff right there

Starting off with some Japanese clear soup. They did offer a spoon, but to heck with spoons!

Oooh...pretty napkin. One of those times it was a shame to take it apart and put it on my lap like a normal person.

Ashley ready for her meal. She's really getting into it, even her Minnie ears are from Tokyo! We'll have to go eventually. And we hope to go the only true way to see Japan: the TPR way! Hint hint.

The new open sushi kitchen. Those four worked feverishly all night. I was more than happy to sample their work.

It's a lot more open than it used to be. A lot louder too. A LOT louder. All those sound reflecting flat surfaces.

Nah, instead we went to Tokyo Dining, which is tempura and sushi, which is more our style.

Off to the freshly redone Mitsukoshi eateries at the Japan Pavilion. Gone are most of the old woods, replaced with concrete and plastic to represent the "new" Japan. This is Teppan Edo for you Teppan-yaki fans. But we're not going there.

"Hi Robb. You know me, Mr. Lion bar. I miss you Robb. Please eat me. Ok, Stuart, put me down now."

[coastercrazed49]

Wow great pictures.

I hope they do something good with that area near the backlot tour. Don't ruin it with Hannah Montana or Highschool Musical, that would be a waste of space.

[VivaLaVibora]

I believe that parade came from Disney's California Adventures. DCA is getting a new parade this year. At least, they sent me a video that they are getting a new Pixar parade. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[VegasCoaster]

Looks like a lot of fun. The year of a million dreams banners really take away a lot from the view of Tower. Don't think its really necessary to have one on every light pole. Some of my friends went to Disney last week and managed to do everything major in the parks and see the shuttle launch. When did you go? It looks like it is a little more crowded than it had to have been for them to see everything.

[Chrissie]

Great TR!!

 

No more beach club?? I had many a good nights in there.....

[jackskellington101]

I believe that parade came from Disney's California Adventures. DCA is getting a new parade this year. At least, they sent me a video that they are getting a new Pixar parade. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

Yep, the Pixar Play Parade. I've seen some video of it already, it looks like Block Party Bash without the stopping with a whole ton of water and stuff shot at the crowd.

 

When did you go? It looks like it is a little more crowded than it had to have been for them to see everything.

 

We went last week, March 9-15th. It wasn't that bad really. We really walked on everything. I think our longest wait was Space and that was about 20 min or so. We could have seen the shuttle launch, but it was early in the morning and, frankly, we didn't want to get up.

 

No more beach club?? I had many a good nights in there.....

 

If the rumors are true, no more Rock N' Roll Beach Club. It will be knocked down completely and be no more. Supposedly, Motion is next on the list, followed shortly by BET and 8 Trax. Motion, again all speculative, is supposed to be also knocked down completely, BET who knows and 8 Trax will be merged into Mannequins, making it the Highlander of the Disney clubs.

[Groteslurf]

Great TR & pics.

 

I love the pics of Boo ! and Mr Potatoe Head. Never seen them in a parade before.

 

I'm getting very hungry watching the sushi combo pic.

[SharkTums]

Awesome TR!!!

 

I can't wait to bring KT back again!

[ernierocker]

If your goal was to make everyone reading this TR hungry, you succeeded!

 

Next time I go to Disney World, I am going to have to try some of the sit-down restaurants. I just hate the idea of making a reservation 180 days in advance, so we did the counter service along with taking advantage of having a kitchen in our time-share.

 

Enjoyed the TR!

[mcjaco]

^ Eating at WDW is one of the best parts! If you don't get reservations before you go, RUN to Guest services when you enter a park and see what's available that day. Typically people cancel, and tables will open.

[jackskellington101]

If your goal was to make everyone reading this TR hungry, you succeeded!

 

Thank you!

 

Next time I go to Disney World, I am going to have to try some of the sit-down restaurants. I just hate the idea of making a reservation 180 days in advance, so we did the counter service along with taking advantage of having a kitchen in our time-share.

 

That's probably the fiscally correct thing to do more often than not.

However, you don't have to do the 180 days for the sit downs. The Tokyo Dining we did the reservation the night before at the desk at Pop Century and I don't think we've ever done a reservation at Boma. Now, we're a party of two so they can fit us in pretty quickly.

 

There are some places where the 180 days are crucial. Le Cellier over in Epcot and Cinderella's Royal Table in MK comes to mind, along with stuff like Hoopty Doo Review at Fort Wilderness. They fill up quickly and completely. However, we've never had a real problem when it comes to getting in the places we've enjoyed, as long as you're willing to wait a bit. Usually in the resorts, the pagers for the restaurants go through most of the lobby of the hotel so, as you saw, we just chilled at the fire for Boma. Ohana, another one of our favorites, was very similar. Generally, we've found, the resort hotels do not fill up as much as the in park ones. However, most places we've just walked up and get something relatively timely.

 

^ Eating at WDW is one of the best parts! If you don't get reservations before you go, RUN to Guest services when you enter a park and see what's available that day. Typically people cancel, and tables will open.

 

Very true. There's a lovely board telling you what's filled, what's limited and what's open. When we went to Studios, everything was open for the day. We considered Sci-Fi, but the recent menu change removing Ashley's favorite meal disheartened us a little bit.

[RCFreak]

Dude, awesome TR! I was actually at the parks the week before so I missed seeing Block Party Bash at Hollwood Studios (but I've see in it more then enough times at DCA) and this brought back some awesome memories (including the food, Mmmmm)

 

 

*off to work on my TR*

[ernierocker]

^^ and ^^^ Thanks for the tips!

 

I was being a little sarcastic about the 180 days thing. I did quite a bit of research on the ADRs (through this site and DISboards) and in the end I decided that I did not want to have a set time that I had to be somewhere. It just didn't fit into the pace of our trip. Still wish I had gone through with getting Teppan Edo reservations though.

 

Hopefully, we will be able to go back to the parks soon and I will definitely take more time to experience the restaurants.

[jackskellington101]

Thanks for the tips!

 

I was being a little sarcastic about the 180 days thing. I did quite a bit of research on the ADRs (through this site and DISboards) and in the end I decided that I did not want to have a set time that I had to be somewhere. It just didn't fit into the pace of our trip. Still wish I had gone through with getting Teppan Edo reservations though.

 

Hopefully, we will be able to go back to the parks soon and I will definitely take more time to experience the restaurants.

 

No problem. I understand totally with your sentiments, I'm the same way when I'm down there. I just go up and see what's going down. If that doesn't make me sound like a child of the 90s, I don't know what does.

 

Now, onto some more fun. Yes, fresh off from the editing room, also known as Windows Movie Maker, I present to you, the TPR public, the second installment of the Stuart and Ashley get stuck on rides series: Test Track Evac! It's also my first self made video on TPR, so hurray!

test track evac_0001.wmv

What happens when people stop moving on Test Track? You'll just have to see!

[crazyrider06]

awesome trip report. looking at your food pictures did make me hungry lol

[Gorwingel]

Here's my side of the trip!

First time I've ever posted anything like this.

Map.

Decided to do Blizzard Beach. Very first time for myself.

New signage for Year of a Million Dreams.

Yes, the Chicken Strips are gone... they are now made of basically the same stuff, but instead are much more nugget like.

Definitely not the same though.

Big Thunder off in the distance.

Yeah : )

Luckily my favorite Butler was there working that night.

Dole Whip... as we say the heart and soul of Adventureland.

I want this for my house.

My favorite ride.

My favorite land.

This is actually working now!!!

First time in about two years.

Another angle of the Castle.

It was beautiful... but during the beginning of the week it was colder than it appears.

It warmed up later though.

Let's start with some not so subtle advertising for the cruise line at the Caribbean Beach Resort.

[Gorwingel]

Oh wait... there's more : )

Blizzard Beach, Florida sun, swimsuits, and Ice Cream.

Looking up at Gushmore.

Yeah... I'll do almost every coaster, but I won't do this.

Summit Plummet.

It has every topping and more ice cream than you could ask for.

And they only sell it at the water parks.

Which makes no sense especially because of the whole swimsuit thing.

This is like the soft serve equivalent to the Kitchen Sink at Yacht and Beach.

Next to mine it just looks downright pitiful.

Yes, I actually decided to get the Garbage Pail.

And now to dessert... here's Stuart's Apple Pie Sundae.

Good, but...

Sign to the kids area.

Another view of the lazy river.

The little kids area.

The Sandbox... which was really cute.

Oh no! Me in a swimsuit! Run!

Oh no! Coaster Enthusiast in a swimsuit!

Run! ; )

The Lodge... or main food place.

Lazy River.

[Gorwingel]

Do you think I could just end with that?

More Blizzard Beach, and some other stuff : )

Wave pool.

The soup in the back was so awesome.

Boma! Food!

Fist shake for Dinosaur.

But we mean no hard feelings... we really do actually love this ride. Though Stuart just wishes it was still Countdown.

Stuart's still mourning Beastly Kingdom.

Now back to the Pop.

Their magical moment... CM's and Managers dancing the Hustle.

Summit Plummet... from above!

Swan, Dolphin, Spaceship Earth.

Looking in the direction of Hollywood Studios.

In the middle there you can see the backside of Everest.

Decided to walk the camera all the way up to the top of Mt. Gushmore.

The older kids play area.

Racing slide.

Stuart.

These slides were cool.