An Alphabetical, (Flower and) Garden Variety TR- V is for: Vida la Tucson! TR COMPLETE! (3/14)

[Steppesister]

No need to apologize. Be as honest and salty as you need to be! There have been many moments at The World where I definitely didn't feel the pixie dust blowing out of my hind end.

I just about soiled myself when I read that. Thanks for the colorful way you always word things, GB!

The upside is that they make the good times even better. (And of course, they make for entertaining reading.)

As I told Vanessa, always a silver lining, and you know around these parts we always shoot for entertaining reading.

Glad you got your scooter!

Me too; there is zero way I could have managed to do any of the trip at all without it.

And I must say I have been so impressed with the iPhone cameras. I use mine for Photos/Vlogging almost exclusively now.

In general I am too. I gotta say though, Samsung has done a pretty good job in that department too.

 

[Hubie]

Sorry you had to endure your noisy neighbors due to your room location. We had an out-of-control family in the adjacent Stateroom on one of our cruises. It sounded like WW II battles between both the couple & their two kids. We called Guest Services and they sent an officer up to their stateroom. That was the end of it for the most part. Also, during our last WDW stay, which was at the RIV for 12 nights from 1/13/20 - 1/25/20 we never heard a sound from the hallway or from the adjacent rooms.

 

[Steppesister]

Sorry you had to endure your noisy neighbors due to your room location. We had an out-of-control family in the adjacent Stateroom on one of our cruises. It sounded like WW II battles between both the couple & their two kids. We called Guest Services and they sent an officer up to their stateroom. That was the end of it for the most part. Also, during our last WDW stay, which was at the RIV for 12 nights from 1/13/20 - 1/25/20 we never heard a sound from the hallway or from the adjacent rooms.

Had I had more energy and been feeling better, I may very well have asked to be moved, but wasn't willing to risk the chances they'd move us back to the LM rooms. Sigh... I really felt "stuck" there.

I'm so glad that DLC took care of yours! I can imagine noise on those has the potential to be a lot worse. I keep hearing great things about the RIV and would love to stay there someday!

 

[pkondz]

I was not feeling great. In fact, I was not even feeling good or mediocre. I was feeling downright terrible

So sorry to hear you feeling that poorly.

Instead of painting an “everything-was-magical-and-merry” picture of all things in a happy Disney bubble, I feel a need to keep it honest and real.

And I would prefer that to dis-honesty. (Take that any way you want.)

I do want to be real with the challenges and yet, still show how I had a great time in general and overcame despite those issues.

Glad you still had a great time!

I am sorry if these chapters are a bummer to read or jerk you back into the harsh realms of reality

Not a bummer at all.
Bad things happen to all of us.

All tucked into my little pillow nest, I was ready, no far, far past ready, to find some deep, Disney sleep. And I was just about there, when “WHAM!”. The heavy metal door that was right next to our room closed with a clattering thud behind a noisy, boisterous family excitedly talking about the fun they’d had in the park they’d just left.

Oh, no...

you can better believe there was a veritable stream of expletives in my mind aimed at the Noisies.

Like "Darn it! What the heck! My goodness gracious!"
Like that?

For the next 2 hours, that scene played out about every 5 minutes

Oh man...

In my ire, I decided that it was definitely sleep. Eventually, I found some, but all too soon it all started all over again promptly at 6:00AM.

So... did you happen to scream into your pillow?

Maybe that’s not a thing anymore.

I've noticed that. "Your kids need to behave, but my little angels are perfect... no matter how vile they happen to be."

So, yep, for 4 nights it was going to be a little bit of sleep from 11-5:30 or so even on the days we could have slept in.

So... why didn't you ask for a different room? Surely being in that section wasn't worth going without sleep for 4 nights???

This was NOT an upgrade; it was a little section of Hell reserved for the folks who forgot earplugs.

I'm sorry, but... while I feel your pain... that's funny!
Know what I did love though? The 2-minute ride/walk to the ‘Liner station.

Definitely a perk!

I can say that it was nice to see Marcia duly impressed at the artistry and level of detail from the hardscaping to the landscaping.

Good!

Maybe I've seen a million photos, but I've never seen that before!

A word about scooters loading and unloading… it’s EASY! Yes, you do have to wait a tiny bit extra for a gondola to load into, but once there is one, drive straight in, turn it off, they chock it, and away you go.

Huh! Not bad! So no turning and trying to do a million point 180? Do you simply back out at destination?

side note- if I had to do a scooter again, Scooterbug and most other rental places offer a drink holder as an upcharge. I’d have done this, as the basket is a bit dicey to stash drinks in. I did try and ended up with a few colossal messes!

Ooohhhhh.... Yeah, if it'd been me, I definitely would splurged on that upgrade. In Florida? Oh, yeah.

If someone is not able to walk the short distance through, they are very nice and have another option. They did ask every single time and security was just so, so nice.

Glad they made it easy for you.

Look at you all "eared" up! You look pretty darn good for someone in pain and zero sleep.

A side note about Marcia and coffee- she is extremely particular about her coffee and really only wanted to drink one certain type.

Kopi luwak? (That's the one where the beans pass through the digestive tracts of civets.

Either she didn’t like it, wasn’t feeling good, or went without making for a very unfortunate situation.

Which begs the question... why didn't she bring her own? Or does it also have to go through an espresso machine? (As opposed to Keurig, perk, drip, or French press?)

And WS is to the left, so that’s the way we headed.

Um... you're in WS. Think you mean FW?

Fun shot!

Remember that bit about the HEAVY camera bag? Having to lug it through the airports not once, but, of course, twice? Using the walker seat to put it on because it was simply too heavy for me at all and I absolutely just couldn’t carry it even a little? Yeah, I was feeling so crappy that I literally did not use my camera even one time. Not in AK, not in Tucson, nowhere.

Oy. Bet you were just thrilled that you lugged it all the way to Florida and back.

This was NOT a photography-centric trip and it shows.

Nope. You got some pretty nice shots...

...like this one.

. We walked all the way to the front of the park so I could see the new entrance, which underwhelmed me greatly sadly,

That bad?
I haven't seen it yet (obviously), but I'd hoped for better.

 

[pkondz]

I dunno. I ran over some napkins a few times and it seemed to hold them down pretty well.

I stand corrected.

Gotta remain unpredictable and silly sometimes.

If I hadn't be quiiiite so lazy, the E and N might have been helpful.

Sure! Then I would've been: "N... E... W... S... oh! NEWS! It's a newsstand!"

I would NOT want to be your tummy with a half pound cookie in it!

Don't underestimate me.

EXACTLY!!! For a $400/night room GET ON THIS!!!!

Right!?!?!?

 

[pkondz]

The traveler who slept on the sofa bed in said "family suite from hell" is very grateful for that extra 15 feet of distance from the hallway. Apparently it was a secret sound barrier as this little clown fish slept as soundly as she could.

If you should happen to see Liesa again... guard yourself. Especially if she reaches for your throat!

 

[amazingact21]

I'm here! Only made it to page 3, but that's progress right?
I'll definitely be sticking around for the 5th wheel updates. RVing is something my family has been toying around with for a few years now, for when we move back to the states. So any and all photos, stories, impressions are handy to have.


I think we can all look past the mistakes on departure day, since you were only two weeks post-surgery! Honestly, being willing to travel and get yourself out and about is impressive to me. I am lazy and would've stayed on my couch the whole time.

Ugh, no! So sorry about the lost phone charger. You don't think about how much you use one until you lose it. Hopefully, you're getting the blips out of the way now so the rest of your trip goes smoothly.

 

[Steppesister]

F is for: Flower and Garden Food and Fun​

By now, things were going much better, mentally and a bit physically too. With the scooter I was able to get places without having to walk (much). Promise the updates will get more fun to read!

Picking up where we left off... With SE not open yet, the logical next stop was to fish for a little fun over at the Seas. I don’t love the ride quite as much as the aquariums, but when you’re with someone who’s never been, you do all the things. And because I really dislike anything to do with backtracking, best to be methodical!

But here’s a dynamic I haven’t had to deal with in quite a few trips: the need to pace myself- because this was a shorter trip with only one park per day (there were a couple of times we got a little extra time in a couple) and the fact that the touring with Mom and Dad would mean a lot less touring at all. So, on any other normal 10-12 day-trip when we could really pause to enjoy all the luscious details of the parks and areas, we'd spend more time at each area. But on this trip, while we could see and do most of what we wanted to, we didn’t linger too long in one place this time around.

I could spend an hour or more easily in the Living Seas wandering around the tanks, but a quick browse sufficed this time around. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming… Understandably, Bruce was off-limits. Not that I could have crawled in there anyway. But I might have made Marcia or Kari do it. Clearly, or not so clearly, Bruce could be found elsewhere though. Also, clearly, or not so clearly, good photos on the Nemo ride are pretty much impossible without a camera and a fast lens. I had neither. So, you get Bruce as seen at the bottom of 4 martinis.

​

We rolled and strolled on to The Land next; I was anxious to have Marcia experience Living with the Land as she and her hubby are certified Master Gardeners. But first Soarin’! This is where trouble started to brew… She didn’t feel well afterwards which super bummed me out. (But not nearly as much as it probably bummed HER out!) I don’t think she nor I realized just how easily she gets motion sickness. The Eiffel tower begging for the Little Blue Pill may or may not have a factor. This completely changed the entire strategy and dynamics of the trip moving forward. But I wouldn’t really know to what degree until the next day. I do think she enjoyed the ride while she was on it, but for several hours afterwards she was just feeling really punky. However, we all enjoyed the boat ride after that. The plexiglass sucked and super detracted from the whole experience, but all in all it was nice to visit my fishy friends and see what was new in the gardens. I always think of @chunkymonkey and Steve when I ride this and never seem to get a front row seat.

​

By now we were getting hungry, so we started heading towards Food Alley- that gastronomic Nirvana between FW and WS. I love the kiosks in there as they seem to always have the most consistent quality and solid crowd-pleasers. But first, we took a quick detour through the pop-up oven that’s filled with butterflies. I always enjoy cruising through here, but Touron beware! It’s a baking sweathouse in there even in mid-April. As usual the butterflies pause for no one and getting a good shot would exhaust the patience of St. Francis. The 3 of us didn’t spend a ton of time there as the day was steadily marching on and our hunger was growing. Flutter by, Butterflies as you enjoy some flyby photos of the winged beauties:

(
(She looks like I was feeling)


(How I feel now)

​

The first kiosk we visited was the Flavor Full Kitchen where I got the same salmon and baby veggie dishes I got the year before. Sooooo soooooo good. That salmon was cooked to absolute perfection and paired with exactly the right goodies to highlight its flavor. Just love this dish! And I feel like for $6.25 you get a pretty decent portion.

(Aren't the kiosk displays so pretty?!)

​

The grilled baby veggies are excellent as well. The hummus and coulis are nice to bathe them in and, along with the salmon, are a nice combination. Marcia was already loving F&W and I think of all that we tried, the salmon was her very favorite.

​

While Marcia and I were finishing up, Kari had moved on to the Honey Bee-stro. As she was grabbing her items, she spied Caroline and Andi ( @disneyAndi14 ) and it wasn’t long before we were all happily saying hi and chatting. We made a vague plan to meet up later, and they headed off to other things. Naturally, since I’d just finished eating it was time to eat again. Mmm, F&W goodies!

The flatbread I found to be a bit on the bland side, good but not great. I honestly can’t remember if I ate it all or not, but I did eat all of the cheesecake. There were other things I liked a whole lot better at the Festival, but this was nice and refreshing with a beautiful presentation with the violet, honeycomb, and meringue kisses.

​

While these weren’t my favorite food things, the kiosk itself is my favorite for its aesthetic presentation of the booth décor. So pretty and well done!! Whoever designed it really has an eye for “theme”!

​

With full tummies, Marcia and I went back towards the front of the park and rode SE and Kari headed onwards towards WS. At least that’s what the photo order shows. On the way, I took a few more photos of the planters; they are just so well done and lovely! SE was now up and running. We paid homage to the Phoenicians, and I always giggle at the dufus-like photos I seem to create with my face on this ride, but today I was disappointed as they weren’t working. Or at least they didn’t generate avatars for us for the end of the ride. Maybe it was the masks. Or the glasses AND the masks. I mean at that point, why bother?

(#toomanyf&gkiosks)


(Not near SE or the front, but one I thought was pretty.)​

As we were getting off of SE, Kari texted and let us know she was in the World Showplace with Ariana @Pluto0809 chatting. Diane, the Piano Lady was performing and it was quite pleasant she told us. Not one to argue with the appeal of “pleasant” with the prospects of more good food and Disney-piano ballads, we made tracks that way. I resisted the urge to do wheelies on the way. I texted Caroline to tell her we’d all be in there visiting and we’d love to catch up more. She said they’d be over as soon as they could make it. As soon as I got there, I was quick to make a (bigger) oinker of myself and ordered 2nd lunchesies. Marcia meantime decided to take off on her own and forage for good eats she could eat without getting sick and would join us later. As memory serves, and it often doesn’t, she headed towards Mexico, I think? Which would make sense. After hanging around me all morning I’d have a hankering for a margarita too.

And while I don’t know what Marcia ended up with, I made quick work of these little beauties:

​

Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue, and House-made Pickle – $7.50

Warm Asparagus for $5.25.

Hibiscus Lemonade Cocktail featuring Islamorada Brewery & Distillery Hibiscus Gin (new) – $11.00

Strawberry Rhubarb Upside-down Cake served with Creme Fraiche Whipped Cream for $4.75

The hot takes:

Slider: Deeeelicious! Super yum-yum. 8/10. Everything blended perfectly together, bun was fresh and soft, pickle a great addition to add some salty zing.

Asparagus: Disappointing. The ends were tough so not a ton of asparagus to eat. Flavor was so-so. 3/10

Lemonade Cocktail: 9/10 Excellent and I don’t say this often, but it actually had enough booze that I could taste it and wasn’t so sappy sweet that it was even drinkable and not geared to a 3 year-old. Just wished it was bigger.

Saving the best for last, the Strawberry Rhubarb Cake- the Star of this year’s Flower and Garden! 10/10 Good enough that I plan to make this when I can get settled. Absolute perfection. Tart, but not overly so. That CREAM! And that caramelized goo on top. Sigh…. it’s the food served beyond the Pearly Gates. I’m certain there are tables of this laid out and it’s all calorie-free. Wish I had a piece of that scrumptious cake right now.

I’ll leave it with that, as it seems like a perfectly appropriate sweet ending. Be safe my friends.

******************************************************************************************
On a side note, I found out today that my son and his household have the virus. Emily, my DIL, is due the 9th and has gotten it worse than the kids. Her doctor advised her not to get vaxxed while pregnant. Andrew was vaxxed and has not gotten it, or at least has no symptoms. He’s having to now quarantine until baby is born. If she hasn’t delivered by the 9th, she’s scheduled for induction and is hoping the 10-day quarantine/disease course is over by then. The kids were very mildly sick over the weekend but are better now. Anyway, anxiously awaiting baby but this wasn’t the best news. My sister and aunt are nearby and have offered to help if they need it.
******************************************************************************************

 

[Steppesister]

And I would prefer that to dis-honesty. (Take that any way you want.)

Nice play on words.

Glad you still had a great time!

I really did!

Like "Darn it! What the heck! My goodness gracious!"
Like that?

OH yes, just like that.

So... did you happen to scream into your pillow?

Maybe.

I've noticed that. "Your kids need to behave, but my little angels are perfect... no matter how vile they happen to be."

Always seems to be the case.

So... why didn't you ask for a different room? Surely being in that section wasn't worth going without sleep for 4 nights???

I guess I didn't want to risk being demoted. I could have phrased it, "is there another NEMO or CARS room available". Admittedly, I was NOT thinking very well or clearly on this trip.

Maybe I've seen a million photos, but I've never seen that before!

I try to get shots that are a bit out of the box.

Huh! Not bad! So no turning and trying to do a million point 180? Do you simply back out at destination?

Beep, beep, beep... OMG, those beepers are LOUD on those things! (Yes, you simply back out)

Ooohhhhh.... Yeah, if it'd been me, I definitely would splurged on that upgrade. In Florida? Oh, yeah.

Hindsight.... Um, er... is it okay to say "is 2020" anymore?

Look at you all "eared" up! You look pretty darn good for someone in pain and zero sleep.

Well, going into a park for the first time on a trip does produce that certain "glow".

Kopi luwak? (That's the one where the beans pass through the digestive tracts of civets.

I'd try that actually.

Which begs the question... why didn't she bring her own? Or does it also have to go through an espresso machine? (As opposed to Keurig, perk, drip, or French press?)

Well, there is a story there. SHE did call ahead and asked specifically if they had K-cups in the room. They told her no, so she didn't bother to bring hers. Turns out, there WAS one in there, which would have solved all her coffee issues. She was NOT happy. When Mik and MEK and I were in the CARS room, it was a coffee pod style maker. She brings her own because apparently Sumatra variety carries less acid, so she ONLY drinks that. I think it can be made any style, but when she was asking for it at all the places we looked throughout the trip, she'd ask for a pourover. Not sure if this method reduces the acid or..?

Um... you're in WS. Think you mean FW?

I corrected that. Thanks!

Oy. Bet you were just thrilled that you lugged it all the way to Florida and back.

Not exactly, no.

...like this one.

I think it's my fave from the EPCOT this trip.

That bad?
I haven't seen it yet (obviously), but I'd hoped for better.

It's a TINY little fountain with no significance compared to FON. So sad.

Sure! Then I would've been: "N... E... W... S... oh! NEWS! It's a newsstand!"

That would be clever! "NEWS from All Directions" for a name!

If you should happen to see Liesa again... guard yourself. Especially if she reaches for your throat!

Liesa's revenge.

 

[Steppesister]

I'm here! Only made it to page 3, but that's progress right?

Any progress is GREAT progress, Alicia!! Welcome here!!

I'll definitely be sticking around for the 5th wheel updates. RVing is something my family has been toying around with for a few years now, for when we move back to the states. So any and all photos, stories, impressions are handy to have.

That won't be for quite a while as that portion happened AFTER Disney. But I will get there and have lots of stories. I don't think you'll be sorry if you dive into the RV adventure yourselves!

I think we can all look past the mistakes on departure day, since you were only two weeks post-surgery! Honestly, being willing to travel and get yourself out and about is impressive to me. I am lazy and would've stayed on my couch the whole time.

I just figured I'd someplace else to wallow in my misery! LOL!

Ugh, no! So sorry about the lost phone charger. You don't think about how much you use one until you lose it. Hopefully, you're getting the blips out of the way now so the rest of your trip goes smoothly.

I know! Especially traveling!! UGH!! I have NO idea why ALL aircraft don't have outlets! WTH?!

And yes, most of that is now behind me and I was starting to enjoy myself by the current chapter. You have a couple more "bummer ones" to read, but by Letter F I'm doing much better!

 

[vamassey1]

Loving all you bright and colorful photos. You're doing a great job of showing off Epcot to the newbie. I agree I tour differently when I'm with experienced Disney travelers.

All the food looks good and you're making me hungry.

 

[Steppesister]

Loving all you bright and colorful photos. You're doing a great job of showing off Epcot to the newbie. I agree I tour differently when I'm with experienced Disney travelers.

All the food looks good and you're making me hungry.

I think with Newbies you want a Grand Tour approach. With the initiated maybe some of the lesser seen sights?

There is always so much great food at these Festivals! And the best part is that I don’t have to cook it!

 

[vamassey1]

I think with Newbies you want a Grand Tour approach. With the initiated maybe some of the lesser seen sights?

Very much so.

There is always so much great food at these Festivals! And the best part is that I don’t have to cook it!

YES!

 

[franandaj]

I am sorry if these chapters are a bummer to read or jerk you back into the harsh realms of reality, but I’m committed to giving you the stories as they were felt and experienced.

Hey better to be real than to sugar coat a turd. There are times at DL where Fran doesn't even feel well enough to get out of bed. Its just nice when I have other friends to keep me company when that happens.

Even my low-dose Ambien wouldn’t drown out the conversations of every single person passing by our door. This was NOT an upgrade; it was a little section of Hell reserved for the folks who forgot earplugs.

That sounds awful.

Eventually, I found some, but all too soon it all started all over again promptly at 6:00AM.

I took very few photos of the resort; you’ve seen it all before a thousand times.

Actually I haven't.

I’d have done this, as the basket is a bit dicey to stash drinks in. I did try and ended up with a few colossal messes!),

That's why it is imperative to drink from bottles with sealing lids!

After our temp scans, we made it to security where I had to get off, walk through the metal detector, and get back on. It was not easy but do-able.

They wand scan Fran so that she doesn't have to get up. Then again she has metal knees so she would set off the metal detectors.

A side note about Marcia and coffee- she is extremely particular about her coffee and really only wanted to drink one certain type. I guess that there is one variety that doesn’t produce heartburn for her, but Disney doesn’t sell it.

Do values have coffee makers in the rooms? I always just male my own in the room and especially if I was that sensitive I would make sure to take care of myself.

Yeah, I was feeling so crappy that I literally did not use my camera even one time. Not in AK, not in Tucson, nowhere. Not once. Every single photo from this TR is with my iPhone.

I've been getting that way, but Fran just bought me a new lens that might even be like a fish eye. I still haven't tried it.

The kind of buses that are used for ME. The kind with stairs to get into them. They cannot accommodate scooters so you have to wait until a regular one with a ramp came around. Sometimes it was taking up to an hour.

I wonder if they use those at the values. I've never had a bus that wasn't scooter friendly.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

By now, things were going much better, mentally and a bit physically too. With the scooter I was able to get places without having to walk (much).

Well, thank goodness for that!

I don’t love the ride quite as much as the aquariums, but when you’re with someone who’s never been, you do all the things.

Yep, that's very true. You can still skip It's A Small World, though.

But first Soarin’! This is where trouble started to brew… She didn’t feel well afterwards which super bummed me out. (But not nearly as much as it probably bummed HER out!)

Oh no! That's a huge bummer.

The Eiffel tower begging for the Little Blue Pill may or may not have a factor.

Ok, I laughed.

It’s a baking sweathouse in there even in mid-April.

Just like the rest of Florida!

Naturally, since I’d just finished eating it was time to eat again.

Oh man, I can so relate to that. Pretty much my natural state of being.

I always giggle at the dufus-like photos I seem to create with my face on this ride, but today I was disappointed as they weren’t working. Or at least they didn’t generate avatars for us for the end of the ride. Maybe it was the masks. Or the glasses AND the masks. I mean at that point, why bother?

I have had a less-than-50% success rate on my picture showing up there. The technology hasn't aged well.

The hot takes:

Slider: Deeeelicious! Super yum-yum. 8/10. Everything blended perfectly together, bun was fresh and soft, pickle a great addition to add some salty zing.

Asparagus: Disappointing. The ends were tough so not a ton of asparagus to eat. Flavor was so-so. 3/10

Shocking. So shocking. Couldn't have predicted those results.

On a side note, I found out today that my son and his household have the virus.

Oh no! Hope they all recover quickly and are safe.

 

[Steppesister]

Hey better to be real than to sugar coat a turd. There are times at DL where Fran doesn't even feel well enough to get out of bed. Its just nice when I have other friends to keep me company when that happens.

I've never heard that term before, but I'm totally stealing it.

And yes, always good to have folks we enjoy to step in and up when needed to keep one company. :

Actually I haven't.

Well, then I'll be more than happy to oblige and fill in the gaps and provide new views!

That's why it is imperative to drink from bottles with sealing lids!

I did get some water bottles along the way, something I hardly EVER spend the money on, but that didn't work for my morning coffee.

They wand scan Fran so that she doesn't have to get up. Then again she has metal knees so she would set off the metal detectors.

Ohhhh! I never saw anyone go through that needed to stay on, so had no idea how they did it, or if at all. This makes total sense. And yes, I did know that about Fran. My neck sets the airport ones off now. Or at least makes them look twice.

Do values have coffee makers in the rooms? I always just male my own in the room and especially if I was that sensitive I would make sure to take care of myself.

Yes, they do. They have the pod type pre-filled filter thingies in SOME rooms like our Cars Suite the trip before and K-cups like in this room. They all taste like crap. To her credit, she did call and ask if they had the K-cup style, and was told no. She was NOT happy when we arrived and they did.

I've been getting that way, but Fran just bought me a new lens that might even be like a fish eye. I still haven't tried it.

Ohhh!! I hope you use it soon and show off some photos!

I wonder if they use those at the values. I've never had a bus that wasn't scooter friendly.

Yes, they are being used at ALL resort and park locations. They are horribly inconvenient and a terrible situation for mobility-challenged folks.

 

[Steppesister]

Well, thank goodness for that!

It really does get better from here on out. There are some standout bummer moments to be sure (I'll get to those) but it was an upwards trajectory, thankfully!

Yep, that's very true. You can still skip It's A Small World, though.

NEVER!!!

Ok, I laughed.

Once in a while I can be on point.

Just like the rest of Florida!

Yes, but, tbh, April is actually really rather pleasant. The temps were great all week long. Except in that cookery.

Oh man, I can so relate to that. Pretty much my natural state of being.

I'll bet it's amplified at Disney though.

I have had a less-than-50% success rate on my picture showing up there. The technology hasn't aged well.

No, it hasn't and I wonder if they'll do a play area overhaul with the downtime. I kinda liked some of the games in there after you get off.

Shocking. So shocking. Couldn't have predicted those results.

My turn to laugh.

Oh no! Hope they all recover quickly and are safe.

Me too! I will call in a bit.

 

[disneyAndi14]

don’t love the ride quite as much as the aquariums

This is us! Another reason we need to tour together!

I could spend an hour or more easily in the Living Seas wandering around the tanks, but a quick browse sufficed this time around. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…

Andi loves doing this thank goodness! We have had such wonderful conversations with the CM’s in here and of course we have made friends with the eels and the rock fish! Need to talk to these creatures each trip. We even watched an actual feeding in 01/20 and that was so cool

So, you get Bruce as seen at the bottom of 4 martinis.

Uhh I’m sorry but your IPhone pictures are really good, certainly outshine mine and I have the IPhone 12, certainly can tell the photographer in you with your pictures!

But first Soarin’! This is where trouble started to brew… She didn’t feel well afterwards which super bummed me out.

Oh no that stinks. Motion sickness is evil! I hate to say it but I am starting to have twinges of it the older I get, yuck! Like my patients always say to me (bless them, they are close to 100 most of them), don’t get old honey nothin good about it!

The plexiglass sucked and super detracted from the whole experience, but all in all it was nice to visit my fishy friends and see what was new in the gardens

I hate the plexiglass and I have read it has returned on some rides again!

always enjoy cruising through here, but Touron beware! It’s a baking sweathouse in there even in mid-April

We skipped it this year, I do remember feeling close to Again you should advertise for IPhone very nice pictures

Flutter by, Butterflies as you enjoy some flyby photos of the winged beauties:

Beautiful pictures, I have noticed so many more butterflies and bees this year at home! I wonder if it is because we have had such a hot summer!

Aren't the kiosk displays so pretty?!)

YES!

Marcia was already loving F&W and I think of all that w

Somehow I cut off half this quote, glad she liked F&G. I loved it this year!

As she was grabbing her items, she spied Caroline and Andi ( @disneyAndi14 ) and it wasn’t long before we were all happily saying hi and chatting

It was so nice to just run into you two, funny how I ran into Kari twice in big old WDW! We just got drinks from this booth. I did enjoy the honey wine and Andi had the boozy shake?? She had a big gulp of vodka, yuck! We even mixed it really good.

We paid homage to the Phoenicians, and I always giggle at the dufus-like photos I seem to create with my face on this ride, but today I was disappointed as they weren’t working.

Our pictures haven’t work in there for quite sometime, love this ride!

Slider: Deeeelicious! Super yum-yum. 8/10. Everything blended perfectly together, bun was fresh and soft, pickle a great addition to add some salty zing.

I loved this, had it in June! Your description is perfect

Strawberry Rhubarb Cake- the Star of this year’s Flower and Garden! 10/10

You and me both 10/10 so yummy. I was bummed it wasn’t there in June, I really wanted this again! I grow rhubarb here and have made rhubarb crunch and a rhubarb/strawberry cake but no one else likes it here so I don’t make anything anymore I just give my rhubarb away!

Tart, but not overly so. That CREAM! And that caramelized goo on top. Sigh…

Yes, exactly!

On a side note, I found out today that my son and his household have the virus.

Oh no, I am sorry to hear that. This virus keeps disrupting all of our lives, will it ever improve, I sure hope so!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

never seem to get a front row seat.

We have asked for a front row and so far, have always gotten one.

Diane, the Piano Lady was performing and it was quite pleasant she told us.

I love the piano lady. The watermelon salad is my favorite dish at Flower and Garden and lucky for me it is located in the festival center.

On a side note, I found out today that my son and his household have the virus. Emily, my DIL, is due the 9th and has gotten it worse than the kids.

I hope everything goes well for your daughter-in-law and the family. That is very scary news.

 

[pkondz]

the logical next stop was to fish for a little fun over at the Seas.

I think they frown on people fishing there. Just sayin'.

I don’t love the ride quite as much as the aquariums, but when you’re with someone who’s never been, you do all the things.

Agree. The aquariums are the real star here... and I suspect most people do the ride and may not even know there are aquariums!

I could spend an hour or more easily in the Living Seas wandering around the tanks,

Given a choice, I prefer to be in the tank.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…

Understandably, Bruce was off-limits. Not that I could have crawled in there anyway.

Yeah, I can see that. Both parts.

Also, clearly, or not so clearly, good photos on the Nemo ride are pretty much impossible without a camera and a fast lens.

Even with a good camera and fast lens, it's next to impossible.

Really like this one.

I was anxious to have Marcia experience Living with the Land as she and her hubby are certified Master Gardeners

Oh, really! I didn't even know there was such a thing.

But first Soarin’! This is where trouble started to brew… She didn’t feel well afterwards which super bummed me out. (But not nearly as much as it probably bummed HER out!)

Really! Well, shoot. That's too bad.

I don’t think she nor I realized just how easily she gets motion sickness.

If you get motion sickness on Soarin'... yeah, you get it easily.

I wouldn’t really know to what degree until the next day.

Uh, oh...

but for several hours afterwards she was just feeling really punky.

Several hours?????

I always think of @chunkymonkey and Steve when I ride this and never seem to get a front row seat.

I have had a front row seat... but I too think of them!

Whoa... did my imagination take a turn when I saw this.
First, however, kudos on getting the shot with the ride and riders as well.

But... I first saw the fish and thought "They kinda look like piranha." (they aren't) Then I saw the CM doing something and first thought was "feeding"... So...

"All right kids. See this mouse in my hand? If you don't make your parents buy you at least $500 worth of souvenirs, this mouse goes in the piranha tank. <drop> Too late! Muahaha! Now it's $700. And if not... Mickey's next."

It’s a baking sweathouse in there even in mid-April.

I've been in there and I don't recall it being that bad. Maybe that was on a particularly cold day.

As usual the butterflies pause for no one and getting a good shot would exhaust the patience of St. Francis.

That's quite a bit, considering St. Francis died in 1226 and the first photo wasn't taken until 1814.

The 3 of us didn’t spend a ton of time there as the day was steadily marching on and our hunger was growing.

Don't eat the butterflies!!!

Enjoy some flyby photos of the winged beauties

Pretty.

(She looks like I was feeling)

Pretty and ready to fly?

The first kiosk we visited was the Flavor Full Kitchen where I got the same salmon and baby veggie dishes I got the year before. Sooooo soooooo good. That salmon was cooked to absolute perfection and paired with exactly the right goodies to highlight its flavor.

Don't recall if I've had that. Sounds good.

Marcia was already loving F&W

Good!

Kari had moved on to the Honey Bee-stro. As she was grabbing her items, she spied Caroline and Andi ( @disneyAndi14 ) and it wasn’t long before we were all happily saying hi and chatting.

Nice quick little DIS meet.

Naturally, since I’d just finished eating it was time to eat again.

Of course!

the kiosk itself is my favorite for its aesthetic presentation of the booth décor. So pretty and well done!! Whoever designed it really has an eye for “theme”!

Or... that person and you have the same tastes.

Marcia and I went back towards the front of the park and rode SE

Wait. What was all that about "And because I really dislike anything to do with backtracking "

Hmmmm?????

I always giggle at the dufus-like photos I seem to create with my face on this ride, but today I was disappointed as they weren’t working.

Well, poop.

Maybe it was the masks. Or the glasses AND the masks. I mean at that point, why bother?

Good point.

Kari texted and let us know she was in the World Showplace with Ariana @Pluto0809 chatting.

Oh! I haven't seen her in a while. Nice you got to meet up.

I was quick to make a (bigger) oinker of myself and ordered 2nd lunchesies.

Eat all the food!

As memory serves, and it often doesn’t, she headed towards Mexico, I think? Which would make sense.

Why? (Apart from margaritas)

Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue, and House-made Pickle – $7.50

mmm... sounds great.

Warm Asparagus for $5.25.

Meh. Sounds... boring. I'll pass.

Strawberry Rhubarb Upside-down Cake served with Creme Fraiche Whipped Cream for $4.75

Now this sounds amazing!

Saving the best for last, the Strawberry Rhubarb Cake- the Star of this year’s Flower and Garden! 10/10 Good enough that I plan to make this when I can get settled.

High praise indeed! Maybe I'll have to look up that recipe too!

On a side note, I found out today that my son and his household have the virus. Emily, my DIL, is due the 9th and has gotten it worse than the kids. Her doctor advised her not to get vaxxed while pregnant. Andrew was vaxxed and has not gotten it, or at least has no symptoms. He’s having to now quarantine until baby is born. If she hasn’t delivered by the 9th, she’s scheduled for induction and is hoping the 10-day quarantine/disease course is over by then. The kids were very mildly sick over the weekend but are better now. Anyway, anxiously awaiting baby but this wasn’t the best news. My sister and aunt are nearby and have offered to help if they need it.

I'm sorry to hear all that. I hope everything will turn out okay and everyone will be healthy and happy.