The Promise of Spring: Flower & Garden Festival 4.0 -- A Cam and Luke TR COMPLETED 8/27 - Page 67 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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That's too bad that you didn't find the Yeti magnet. Maybe next time! I'm sorry to see your trip come to an end! I look forward to your next adventure.
That's too bad that you didn't find the Yeti magnet. Maybe next time! I'm sorry to see your trip come to an end! I look forward to your next adventure.
Hopefully, we'll find that Yeti magnet in November. Thanks for reading!
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Originally Posted by purplegal
Great ending to your trip, it sure is a small world. Looking forward to your PTR.
It does seem like every trip we have a small world moment.
How to sum up this trip? Just to get it out of the way because it was the only disappointment of the trip, and affected several days of the trip is the weather. We’ve had four spring trips now with the first two being mild. Last year was warmer and at times uncomfortable. But this year’s heat and humidity was the worst so far with record highs and almost late July/early August temperatures. Our last three days at least were more like what we had expected and were definitely a pleasant relief. Because we’ve had spate of unusually hot vacations over the past couple of years, we are hoping for better luck this coming November when we will return to WDW. Only time will tell. The weather won’t keep us from returning next May, and in fact, we have already made our resort reservation for the May 2018 trip.
One of my favorites of this trip was the Caring for Giants tour that came late in our trip. I was delighted with each of our safaris because the giraffes were out in large numbers and quite active. But every time we reached the elephants I was lucky to get two or three sightings and only a couple of good photos. So getting to go backstage and up close to the mighty pachyderms and the newest member, baby Stella. The keepers and tour staff were friendly, informative, and eager for all the guests to enjoy the experience. Honestly, this was probably our best value for the money on the entire trip.
One of the big reasons we return year after year in May is to experience the Flower & Garden Festival. The beauty of Epcot during this season is simply stunning with vibrantly colored blooms, amazing topiary, and flitting butterflies. So much visual appeal now both day and night! A photographer’s mecca! The addition of the Outdoor Kitchens a few years back adds even more sensory appeal. Unfortunately, we did not sample as many as I had planned, but the eat sucked the appetite right out of us.
Speaking of eating, we ate at several old and familiar restaurants with mainly positive results. The only one that failed to live up to past expectations was Morimoto Asia, and then only for my meal. Luke loved his. Mine was just not the same high quality as they previous visit in October. But that may just mean I need to try something else on their extensive menu. Lots to choose from there! Having a patio table and dinner with friends (lindawdw and crew) at Rose & Crown made for an enjoyable evening lit up by Illuminations. Sci-Fi had not been on our rotation for a long time and we both really loved returning here for both the food and the atmosphere. We also tried two new restaurants: Tiffins and Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming. I’m glad we did Tiffins with the Rivers of Light dining package at least this once. Luke and I are not really epicures of fine cuisine, so Tiffins was much fancier than our normal dining choices. I found Luke’s fish to be off putting by appearance, but he truly enjoyed it. My steak was good, but I’ve had better. We may return to Tiffins but there isn’t a rush as to when. Homecoming though is another story. Having been raised on Southern comfort food, I was in my element here with fried chicken, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. Sanaa still ranked number one with Luke this trip, but my favorite meal was this one at Homecoming. We both loved this one, so it is on the list for our November trip.
Mentioning Rivers of Light, reminded me of how much I enjoyed this long-anticipated nighttime spectacular at Animal Kingdom. You all know I have a fondness for animals and their preservation, so this show touches my heart. I am so happy that AK now has its own nighttime show that not only entertains but enlightens us. I’m still checking daily in hopes of getting a Tusker House Rivers of Light dining package for our November trip. Wish us luck!
On our last night there, we finally made it to the Magic Kingdom for one last viewing of Wishes, the nightly fireworks show that holds such special memories for us with Stefanie. Putting the camera away and simply absorbing the experience with all my senses has engraved this night on my memory in a way that photos never could. Bonding with the folks around us in this shared experience made it even more precious. So many of us loved that show! My Wishes t-shirt has gotten quite a bit of wear since we got back home.
Our trip had a satisfying mix of old and new, thrills and chillin’, friends and family. We are blessed to be able to visit WDW twice each year. Friends and family are always asking us how much longer to the next trip. Currently, the countdown is 69 days 15 hours, which means it is time to close the book on this trip and prepare to open the book on the next one. Thanks for reading along as you all make it worth my time to remember the details, to write the story, and to upload photos. See ya real soon!
Great summary and glad the two of you had another memorable trip! Too bad with the hot weather and humidity for several days as you usually don't expect this in May! Some great meals overall adventures in the parks and elsewhere. I'm considering the Caring For Giants Tour on my October trip as you enjoyed it so much and such a great value! Looking forward to your PTR for your November trip as I'm sure you'll be starting this shortly!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us. I enjoyed reading about it and seeing and seeing all your pictures. Homecoming sounds like my kind of place. My mom was from the south and some of the food sounds like things I grew up eating.
Sorry it was so hot.
Liz
The tiger habitat had been closed for months before we got there. I think breeding was their pat answer for why it was still closed in case pregnancy did not happen or to keep it a surprise as to win the cubs might be born. I'm actually wondering if the habitat closed when they knew Sohni was pregnant and not just trying to get pregnant.
Sorry you missed the tigers, They were still off stage when we were there the end of June. It has been proven all for a good cause. I read somewhere that there are now two baby tigers. The report said that they hoped to have them on stage sometime this Fall. Judy and I will be looking for them in September and then Judy can look again in November. Hope they are out. The pictures I saw were very cute with two stripped kittens playing with mom.
Great summary and glad the two of you had another memorable trip! Too bad with the hot weather and humidity for several days as you usually don't expect this in May! Some great meals overall adventures in the parks and elsewhere. I'm considering the Caring For Giants Tour on my October trip as you enjoyed it so much and such a great value! Looking forward to your PTR for your November trip as I'm sure you'll be starting this shortly!
Another neat aspect of the Caring for Giants tour was that it only took up about an hour and a half of our time in the park.
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Originally Posted by Disney Fan 52
Very nice report
Thanks so much!
Quote:
Originally Posted by clio
Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us. I enjoyed reading about it and seeing and seeing all your pictures. Homecoming sounds like my kind of place. My mom was from the south and some of the food sounds like things I grew up eating.
Sorry it was so hot.
Liz
Thanks for reading! I really hope next May is milder.
Sorry you missed the tigers, They were still off stage when we were there the end of June. It has been proven all for a good cause. I read somewhere that there are now two baby tigers. The report said that they hoped to have them on stage sometime this Fall. Judy and I will be looking for them in September and then Judy can look again in November. Hope they are out. The pictures I saw were very cute with two stripped kittens playing with mom.
I'm really hoping the cubs are out in November, but if not then there will be our spring 2018 trip.
Loved reading your trip report these last few months. Your writing and photos always make me feel like I have been right there along w/you and Luke. So I am sad that this is coming to the end BUT am super excited for the PTR and TR for your upcoming trip!!!! Mostly b/c I know that we get to see each other at Disney World during that trip and you and Luke get to meet the rest of my family!!! It's been way too long since our last time seeing you. So I can't wait for you to start your PTR for November!!!
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We both loved this one, so it is on the list for our November trip. 
Some great meals overall adventures in the parks and elsewhere. I'm considering the Caring For Giants Tour on my October trip as you enjoyed it so much and such a great value! 
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