Hey everyone – Happy Thanksgiving Week!
And look – here’s something you guys should be super thankful for. Another post chronicling our August 2023 trip. Yeah, August. Remember August?
Yeah, I don’t really either.
So like, writing this blog post should be fun and reading it should be very informative.
Get excited.
Our 2023 Disney Land and Sea Extravaganza: Day 9
Day 9, once again, began early AF. On account of I had a little bit of work to do. You see, even though a good part of our group had to unfortunately say their goodbyes on Day 8, we still had 11 people – me, Nickie, Owen, Myles, Hannah, Jeff, Shannon, Steve, Liz, Jack, and Lucy. And we were rope-dropping today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which you know, is a pretty popular destination. So much like the other mornings we’ve spent in Walt Disney World, the early morning time was Lightning Lane time.
We all decided we didn’t need to take advantage of any sort of Virtual Queue since we were rope-dropping but it was still important to get Genie+ in order for everyone. And yeah, rope-dropping + Lightning Lanes = early morning situations.
So up early we were. At like 6AM.
Yeah, it was a beautiful morning for sure.
I secured us a Lightning Lane for later in the morning, the five of us (me, Nickie, Myles, Owen, and Hannah) all got up and ready rather quickly, with a plan to meet up with everyone else at the park.
We also had to handle some bizz this morning. On account of we were switching resorts today!
So we had to get all our luggage together and down to Bell Services to have it transferred over to our new resort.
Which I am gonna keep a surprise for now.
But I’ll give you a hint. This new resort? It’s wild.
I know. That’s a tough one, right? You’ll never guess it…not in a million ye…
Oh, you already guessed it? Whatevz, smart guy.
So much going on this morning tho. And yeah, we wanted to make park open. Which meant we had to be at the gate before 8AM.
Yeah. 8AM.
Disney summers be wild.
We were inside the park before 7:45.
We met up with the Marquados and Nickie decided to grab us all some breakfast at The Trolley Car Cafe on account of she is some sort of angel straight from heaven while the rest of us headed straight for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The line for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was pretty much non-existent so we hopped in line and within minutes, we were being briefed by Rey.
And this attraction? It’s still the best attraction in all of Walt Disney World. It’s just…there is so much going on here. It’s really incredible what the Imagineers did here.
Walking into that hangar still kind of blows me away and gives me all the feels.
The kids still say that? All the feels?
I’ve said it before, but I will say it again. This ride is 100% where it’s AT-AT.
Get it? Because of the terrifying weapons of destruction?
After Rise, the plan was to meet up with Jeff and Shannon at Rock N’ Roller Coaster.
And we succeeded in said plan.
As evidenced by this contraband on-ride photo of me, Steve, Jeff, and Shannon.
Owen was also there, along with a very rocked and rollered Jack.
After we exited Rock N’ Roller Coaster, the wait for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror looked rather manageable so we made the short walk over.
And this queue? Scary good.
Also, just as we were getting seated in our elevator, Jack abruptly asked me if I could hold onto his GIGANTIC tumbler while we were on the ride. So I obviously drank it while I was getting my in-ride photo taken.
Yeah, props are the key to my comedy. I’m like this generation’s Carrot Top.
It wasn’t even 10AM yet and we had already hit three pretty big situations. And two of them – Rise of the Resistance AND Tower of Terror – count among some of my favorite Walt Disney World attractions.
This morning slapped. Is the point.
As you probably saw in that Tower of Terror photo, we weren’t all together here. Which was a problem. Because when we’re together….
That’s my favorite place to be.
We all met up and went to For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-A-Long is what I am saying to you now.
Which, like…I am sure if you haven’t been to this show…that probably doesn’t sound all that exciting. But if you have experienced this little slice of wonderful, I’m sure you’ve been overcome with jealousy at this point. Because this show is fire.
I mean, the music and the movie clips are obvs squad good times. But there is so much more going on here that works. It’s legit a good time. I love any attraction where I am encouraged to sing Disney songs out loud, Anna and Elsa and Kristoff are there. And the Arendelle historians are hilarious.
They’re this generation’s Carrot Top.
Plus guys? It snows inside there.
But don’t let all that snow fool you. Place was still Florida in August. Which is to say it was like the ninth circle of hell.
Elsa should have been more like….
Still though. Great show.
All that singing and pretending it was cold worked up quite an appetite. So we all found our way to Backlot Express for one of THE BEST snacks in Walt Disney World – the Wookiee Cookie.
Behold it, in all its glory.
Two giant oatmeal cookies with vanilla cream filling inside and a chocolate bandolier on top. Not only does this thing celebrate Chewbacca, which obviously was well overdue. Ahem…
…but this thing is like a giant Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie. Which I contend is one of the highest-ranking Little Debbie snack cakes. And this seemed like a common notion when I was growing up. But lately, I dunno. It seems like the younger folks prefer the chalkiness of a Cosmic Brownie. Oatmeal Cream Pies have fallen out of favor with the younger generation.
Like Carrot Top.
We had a little time before our Lightning Lane was up so we hit up perhaps the most underrated attraction in all of Hollywood Studios – Muppet-Vision 3D.
If you tell me you don’t like the muppets, I instantly don’t trust you.
And Muppet-Vision 3D is just all kinds of muppety.
I mean, look at these muppets.
So muppety.
Afterwards, it was time to hit our Lightning Lane attraction before lunch – Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway!
I rode with Nickie, Owen, and Jack. As you can tell by this horribly taken picture.
Anne Geddes I am not.
So good this attraction though. And don’t come at me with your what-about-the-Great-Movie-Rides because I don’t wanna hear it. This thing is all kinds of an improvement.
SO GOOD!!!!
At this point, it was getting close to our 1PM so after our runaway train pulled into the station or whatever, we all moseyed on over to Toy Story Land.
On account of we had lunch at a new (well at that time it was new…yeah, these posts have been coming out far too slowly) Walt Disney World restaurant – Roundup Rodeo BBQ!
The idea behind this place is that we are all toys and we’re at a rodeo Andy set up. It’s all kinds of loud and colorful and I mean, don’t come in here if you have a hangover obvs.
Not that I was hungover guys. Because I wasn’t. Because drinking is bad, kids.
OK, I’m kidding. Drinking is awesome. But I really wasn’t hungover today. It was just a bit of general advice.
We ended up seated at two different tables. Which worked out. On account of the adults were at one table and the kids were at another on literally the entire other end of the restaurant.
I’m sorry. Did I say it worked out? I obviously meant to say there was a void at our table during that whole lunch that was obviously carved out of the absence of smiles on our childrens’ faces.
Anyway though. Here’s the menu.
How this whole place works is kind of complicated for really no reason. When it comes to the salads, they bring all three options listed on the menu out to your table. The meat is largely the same thing, except you have to ask special for the salmon. The sides? Well, you can choose 4 to have them bring to your table. But once you order those 4, you can order any of the other ones you want so essentially, they bring all the sides. When it comes to the desserts, you order one per person. However, if you want another dessert, you just ask and they will bring it.
You know what’s not confusing? How awesome these plates are.
What. Do you think that plate is made of paper.
Ha, you’re such a stupid idiot.
It’s regular plate material.
Here they are again, next to sauces.
Our waiter started us off with The Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits with Sweet Pepper Jelly.
Our waiter advised us to not eat too many of these on account of how much food was coming. But, like, then why did he bring them in the first place? Why was our waiter playing these mind games with us? Oh well, the only way to combat this type of emotional warfare was to obviously eat my feelings biscuits.
Drinkwise, I started off with a Grown-Ups Peanut Butter & Jelly (Frozen Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Minute Maid® Vanilla Smoothie Mix, Grape Jelly).
Which was pretty good. I liked the whole peanut butter-milkshake-whiskey situation but the grape jelly was just sort of chilling down there at the bottom.
As I alluded to before, our waiter brought all three salads to our table – the Rootin’ Tootin Tomato Salad (Cucumbers, Pickled Red Onion, White Balsamic Vinaigrette), Wheezy’s Watermelon Salad with Fresh Torn Mint, and Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad (Apples, Dried Cranberries, Pumpkin Seeds, Green Goddess Dressing).
And like, I know most people complain about the salads here but I thought they were all pretty good. I liked the watermelon the most probably but I kind of dug all three.
And look – here’s our platter of meat.
Up there we have (please excuse the punny names) Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs, Buttercup’s Beef Brisket, There’s a Sausage in my Boot – Fire-grilled Pork Sausage, and BBQ Chicken – with Style!
And get ready you guys. For a sides-splosion.
We had the Buckin’ Baked Beans, Slinky Doooooooooog’s Mac & Cheese, Cowpoke Corn on the Cob (Mexican Street Corn), Force Field Fried Pickles…
…Mean Old Potato Salad, The Claw! Veggie Salad…
…The Married Spuds (Loaded Potato Barrels)…
…and the Campfire-Roasted Vegetables.
We got ALL the sides. Is what I am saying to you now.
OK so like, what were my favorite things I out of everything I just listed asked no one?
That whole platter o’ meat was great but if I had to choose? I’d be torn between the brisket and the sausage.
In terms of the sides, the fried pickles were probably my favorite but the potato barrels (tater tots to normal people) were a close second.
When it came time for dessert, we again ended up with everything but Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie was the hands-down favorite of the table.
But I’d be remiss if I didn’t also post a pic of the Cupcake a la Forky (Gooey Chocolate Cake, Graham Cracker, Buttercream, Sugar Cookie).
Which wasn’t very good. But at least it was cute and not very good.
After lunch, it was time to take our midday break since we were literally walking on the surface of the sun.
So we made our way to the exit.
Here we are. Making our way to the exit.
Now, while we were heading to our super-secret-I-never-told-you-where location, the Marquados were going back the Contemporary for the afternoon with plans to meet back up in the park later.
Jeff and Shannon though? We (womp) had to (womp) say goodbye (womp to the domp). What a bummer, right? It’s always sucktown saying goodbye to them. Sucktown, I say.
You know what else is sucktown? How few pictures I took of actual people today.
Anyway though – we were obvs squad fam squad gonna miss us some Jeff and Shannon.
Onto our resort for the night…
Aw yeah, you guys. Animal Kingdom Lodge. We arrived at around 3:30PM.
This lobby never fails to disappoint, man.
Our room was not quite ready so we quickly changed into our bathing costumes and made straight for the Uzima Springs Pool.
And after a quick dip? Nickie and I made straight for the Uzima Springs Pool Bar and ordered up a couple Captain’s Mai Tais (Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Bols Amaretto, and Tropical Juices topped with a float of Myer’s Original Dark Rum).
Of course it was good you guys. It’s a mai tai. Hurr durr.
Our room was ready within minutes. In fact, we ended up bringing our mai tais up to finish in the room.
And you know what that means, my dudes. Room tour time!
Here’s where you-know-what happens.
You know. Nudge nudge. Wink wink.
Sleep, you guys. That’s where sleep happens.
Pfft, what were you thinking?
This is a family blog, guys.
And check this out. TWO sinks?
Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I stumbled into the Rockerfellers’ room.
Wait. ANOTHER sink?
AND a toilet? Which is like a sink for your butt?
So many sinks.
But running water wasn’t the only amenity we were treated to as guests of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Because you guys…check out the view from our balcony.
Aw yeah. Giraffes off the balcony. How we roll.
We spent some time relaxing in the room for a little bit but before we knew it, it was time to head back to the park for dinner. Which yeah, I know. It might seem like we just ate lunch a few hours ago.
That’s because we did.
Onto dinner.
Dinner tonight was back at Hollywood Studios so the five of us walked down to the Animal Kingdom Lodge bus stop. We were back at the park by 6:30.
Specifically, dinner tonight was at 50’s Prime Time Cafe, an old favorite of ours.
The situation here is supposed to feel like a 50’s era kitchen, with vinyl chairs and formica.
Before we were seated, we hung out for a little bit in the Tune-In Lounge.
But soon enough, we were led to our seats. And I feel like I am just always taking pictures of the TVs in this place.
I love TV.
I should also mention the schtick of this place is that you’re actually at a family gathering so the waitstaff makes a big case out of proper manners. Like, if you’re not exercising proper etiquette, the staff makes sure you know it.
Well, usually they do. Tonight, we didn’t get a lot of that. Oh, maybe that’s because these three are the picture of good behavior?
Nah. That can’t be it.
The waitress took our drink orders first. Due to the heat, I was parched. So I got a water.
But also, I was kind of tired after a long day and wanted some caffeine. So I got a Diet Coke.
Plus, I have a drinking problem. So I got a Bud Light.
I love drinks.
Both Nickie and I were in the mood for Cousin Amy’s Iceberg Wedge (Rice Paper Bacon, Sliced Red Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Chives, and Plant-based Ranch Dressing) so we split it. And they did a hell of a job splitting this wedge.
And for my main, I ordered basically what I always order at 50s Prime Time – A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes (Golden-fried Chicken, Fork Tender Pot Roast, and Traditional Meatloaf with all the fixin’s).
Which I love because I am indecisive. And also, its delicious. Or is it scrumptious? Hrm, maybe it’s very tasty?
I dunno. I can’t decide.
For dessert, Nickie and I kept going with the whole splitsies thing and split Dad’s Favorite Chocolate-Peanut Butter Layered Cake, which is a lot of pretty awesome words all squished together.
50’s Prime Time always lands. Seriously. Love that place.
Earlier in the day, I snagged a LIghtning Lane for a nighttime ride on Slinky Dog Dash but by this point, our 2 hour window was up and at the start of dinner, I saw a LIghtning Lane available for MIllennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run whose window would coincide with when we were most likely going to finish eating. And it was time to hop a ride on the fastest hunk of junk on the galaxy.
The Marquados were just getting to the park and were close behind but they said to go on without them in case they didn’t make the Lightning Lane time. So into the queue we went.
We were being briefed by Hondo by quarter of eight.
By the way, I just finished watching Star Wars Rebels for the first time and yeah, I have a newfound appreciation for our friend Hondo here. Watch Rebels is what I am saying to you now.
And as we were getting our assignments, Steve texted me to let me know they made it so once I knew they were through the front door, I went onto my MyDisneyExperience app to see if I could snag one more LIghtning Lane before we hopped on Slinky Dog since that was looking like it was going to be our last attraction of the day.
Success – I found a Toy Story Mania! whose window would open within minutes.
I know. I’m a hero.
In terms of assignments, Myles and Hannah were our pilots for this mission. Owen and I were the gunners and Nickie was the lone engineer. Which, to be fair, she wanted. She wanted as little responsibility as possible.
Here look. You can sort of see us in this picture.
And isn’t that why you come to this blog in the first place? To sort of see us?
And guys? I was a hot shot today. NBD.
When we exited the attraction, a pretty beautiful night was starting to fall over Galaxy’s Edge.
We made a plan with the Marquados to meet up at Toy Story Land, which was right next door. So off the five of us went.
Look at Myles and Hannah though. Schmoops.
The Marquados met up with us at around 8:15 and we all walked on in to Toy Story Mania.
I ended up in my own vehicle. Which worked out. Because I won.
Pfft you suck Player 2.
And now, finally, it was time for our last ride of the day – Slinky Dog Dash. Which was conveniently right across the way.
Myles, surprise surprise, rode with Hannah.
Owen, seen creeping in the photo above, rode with Steve.
Liz rode with Lucy but being they were obvs very far from me, I didn’t get a picture of them. Sorry Liz and Lucy. I’m real lazy.
I rode with Jack.
On account of Jack said I was “cool.”
Jack is now my favorite person.
Yeah. I’m easily won over.
Slinky Dog Dash at night though. It’s best.
It was at this point we had to once again say goodbye to friends. The Marquados were heading home early tomorrow so they were calling it a night. One by one, all our friends are leaving us. This blog post is a tragedy.
It was great traveling with the Marquados though. This was our first vacation with them and they proved to be stellar travel friends.
The five of us, though, still had a little bit of night ahead of us. I didn’t mention it before but our dinner at 50’s Prime Time was actually what’s called a Fantasmic! Dining Package. Which means not only did we get a great dinner but we had tickets to see Fantasmic! from a reserved seating section. And that’s a good thing because getting in and getting seated for Fantasmic! is all kinds of nightmare fuel.
Let’s go to Fantasmic!
Along the way, down Sunset, the Tower of Terror loomed in the night.
We turned right off Sunset and walked on towards the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.
And we were all pretty excited. We hadn’t seen Fantasmic! in a lonnnng time, definitely not since they updated the show with new properties like Moana and Frozen. So yeah, excited you guys.
Fantasmic! photo dump time!
F
Fantasmic! is a PIA of a show to get to, but I do love it. How it mixes music with live performers with pyrotechnics with water effects with lasers. It’s a whole situation my friends.
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There’s something real special about this show for sure.
But while I love the show, the logistics surrounding it? Not the best. The crowd leaving the show is always ginormous and it’s just sort of a slog towards the exit.
Hollywood Studios at night is just all kinds of magic though.
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We were on our bus back towards Animal Kingdom Lodge at around 10:30.
And back at the Lodge a little after 11.
And like – that was Day 9 you guys. It was a great day despite having to say goodbye to even more people AND despite it being our last night in Walt Disney World.
But don’t go crying your eyes out just yet. We still have a pretty packed Day 10 to get through. And I promise I will get through it before the new year. lulz.
Until then, I hope all who celebrate have a very Happy Thanksgiving. Hold your loved ones close and remember to be grateful because every day is a gift.
See you all on Day 10!
Last post – Day 8
Next post – Day 10
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