Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Trip Report Tuesday: Throwback Edition // 20th Wedding Anniversary WDW Trip Day 5 | Magic Kingdom, Gingerbread Displays, Savanna Views, and an Evening at Epcot

 

Hello, friends!  Today I'm excited to share Magic Kingdom moments, lunch at the Grand Floridian, Gingerbread displays, a wild savanna view, and an evening at Epcot!  I hope you'll enjoy a virtual getaway yourself through these pics. :) 


Day 5 - Tuesday, November 13, 2018


You know it's going to be a magical morning when you drive beneath that welcome sign and the metal Mickey greets you!





It was a monorail kinda morning.



I adore Disney's Christmas decor!  I'm looking forward to sharing snapshots of this sweet seasonal goodness throughout this park in today's post!












Perfectly placed Mickeys and Minnies at the start of the day is a thing of beauty!
















As Fantasyland opened we, along with the masses, made our way into that charming section of the park.






Off to Neverland!



The only public restaurants I can't resist photographing!  Ha!

Haunted Mansion time!








"Everybody's got a Laughing Place, A Laughing Place to go-ho-ho.  Take your frown, turn it upside-down and you'll find yours we know-ho-ho!"








"Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder.  It's the truth, it's actual.  Everything is satisfactional.  Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay!  Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!"





... We are going to miss this ride!



While waiting for the show to start we enjoyed some of the historical treasures in the lobby.



































The bright cheery colors of Small World always make me smile!



One of my favorite rides for relaxing and taking in the atmosphere of Tomorrowland, the Peoplemover!
















Time for a ride on the Jingle Cruise!






*Insert all the Trader Sam jokes we'll never hear again here.


Heigh-Ho, Heigh ho!  It's off to an awesome ride we go, because we dig dig dig a-dig dig it!  Sorry, I couldn't help myself!  Ha!



Disney World is for the young and young-at-heart! :)





I always enjoy snapping pics of Disney goodies.  Later they're a feast for the eyes!


On this sweet day we had a lunch reservation at Disney's flagship resort, the Grand Floridian.  Since it's on the monorail loop I used this opportunity to do one of my favorite Christmastime at WDW activities, Gingerbread House Hop!  First up, Disney's Contemporary Resort for their darling Cinderella themed display.  







I posed in front of the display just for scale. ;)











Now let's take a peek at the goodies and merch offered at this display...

Almost too cute to eat! ...almost. ;)






The treat I chose, a frozen hot chocolate. 



A last look at the Mary Blair inspired cuteness before hopping back on the monorail...










I always enjoy the artwork in the Contemporary.



Window shopping ;)

Time for lunch at the Grand!


Their lobby is so stunning!  Immediately upon entering the resort you notice their grand gingerbread house, perfectly suited for the space!




We took in the cute window displays as we made our way to the gingerbread.






It turned out that the house was still being completed, but would you look at that sign?!  It opened on November 14th for the 20th anniversary of the display.  November 14th would be our 20th wedding anniversary!  What a special day!  I told Jason how much I'd like to return on our anniversary and its. ;)  That we did!  Stay tuned for more on that next week!














I honestly can't remember what this dish I enjoyed was called, but it was absolutely scrumptious!  Crunchy and sweet chicken.  Yum!  A great first meal at the Grand Floridian Cafe for me!  Jason tried their Lobster 'Thermidor' Burger.  He'd had high hopes for it, but was disappointed by it.  You win some, you lose some.  I guess you could say I had the "winner, winner, chicken dinner lunch".  Ha!












Next we opted for a boat ride to one of our family faves, the Poly!




Space Mountain and Castle Views




















After spending a bit of time in our second favorite resort we headed back to our first fave and DVC home, Animal Kingdom Lodge.  While filling our rapid refill mugs at The Mara I grabbed a cute cupcake to enjoy on our savanna view balcony.




I wasn't the only one eating out there, oodles of wildlife were out for a bite to eat too!








Evening at Epcot






On this, the night before our wedding anniversary we enjoyed the same style of eats as we had at our rehearsal night, pizza!


We love Via Napoli!  I can hardly wait to show you this scrumptious pie and I'm even more excited to enjoy another one this fall as we just snagged reservations there for our upcoming trip!











Busted!  You may have seen my Instagram story on this Friday.  While going through pics for this blog post I got such a good laugh out of noticing my sneaky hubby going in for a pepperoni as I snapped pizza pics!  I can't blame him though!  Bloggers wanna capture the moment while their hubbies just wanna eat!  Ha!



Chronicling my hubby's cuteness!  He's as silly as he is sweet and I couldn't adore him more for it!






Fully satisfied after a good meal and great company we headed out for an evening stroll.  I must say, every time we visit Epcot I'm taken by what an excellent replica their Italian pavilion truly is!  I visited Venice the summer after I graduated high school and fell in love with that city.  Walking through this perfect pavilion gives me a similar feel.  It's a beautiful tribute and never gets old!






Off to Japan to our favorite shop in the World Showcase, Mitsukoshi!




My youngest daughter has been collecting Rilakumma cuteness for years now, so I couldn't resist snapping a pic of the merch to share with her.  


Next, we went on an American Adventure . . . 














We followed that up with a ride on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros or as we call it, "The Mexican Boat Ride".






























Reflections of Christmastime and a lit upside down waterfall led our way as we walked to our final ride of the evening in the Land pavilion.











Hidden Mickey!





While some sections of the ride were decked out for Christmas, it was still a bit before Thanksgiving so we also enjoyed this cute harvesty goodness too.  It was the best of both worlds!




Goodnight, Epcot!  See you real soon!



Thanks so much for popping by this week's TRT post!  It's always a treat to have you here!  I'd like to extended a warm welcome to return this time next week for the highlight of this trip, our 20th Anniversary!  It was incredibly special and ultra-delicious!  I can hardly wait to recap those magical moments soon!  Meanwhile, have a terrific Tuesday and a wonderful rest of your week, friends!


In Case You Missed It:

Direct Link to Previous Trip Report Tuesday Post - 

TRT // 20th Wedding Anniversary WDW Trip Day 1

TRT // 20th Wedding Anniversary WDW Trip Day 2

TRT // 20th Wedding Anniversary WDW Trip Day 3

TRT // 20th Wedding Anniversary WDW Trip Day 4


Join me in the adventures to come!
Follow along on Bloglovin for future blog posts and on Instagram for snapshots and stories in between!

7 comments:

  1. The Rapunzel bathrooms are the best. I wonder what the new Splash Mountain will be like. We call it the Mexico ride! Love the resort tour!

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    1. I agree. They are so cutely themed! We will sure miss Splash Mountain. Disney hasn't disappointed with their recent ride additions though, so I'm hopeful that the upcoming Princess and the Frog themed ride will be wonderful. I love that our families both have "pet names" for the boat ride. :D So glad to hear that you enjoyed it! Thanks for always stopping by my posts and chatting Disney with me!

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  2. Ah I love this so much! You really know how to pack a day full of all the Disney goodness! Is there really a better way to start your day than a stroll through Fantasyland?!! <3

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    1. Your comments always add a smile to my day and make me feel completely understood! ;)

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  3. What a fun day! I love seeing all the Christmas decor- hopefully someday we can go to Disney World at Christmas time too! (seeing Disneyland in Christmas decor when we went was so much fun!) Ooo, the Poly is definitely #1 on my and my husband's resort wish list someday! And I'm hoping to get a reservation at Via Napoli too! Those pizzas look so so good!

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    1. I have no doubt that you would love being at WDW at Christmastime! Wanna know a secret though? I think nothing tops Disneyland's all decked out in its Christmas best! Small World all aglow in Christmas lights, the special holiday theming they add to multiple rides, that adorable Christmas parade - I love it all SO much! Our 2019 holiday visit was a bucket list check that exceeded my expectations! I love that you enjoyed such a fun time there during the Christmas season too! The Poly is so beautiful, isn't it?! I hope that's checked off your hubby's resort wish someday! Being there feels like a vacation in itself. :D Just the thought of Via Napoli makes my mouth water - lol! Perhaps you'll enjoy some slice sampling on your next trip. :)

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  4. My middle son is obsessed with the Princess and the Frog movie! I have already warned my husband that once the boys aren't vacationing with us I have plans for us to stay at the Polynesian resort since I've always wanted to stay there. He loves the dole whips so he's on board.

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I would love to hear from you today! I enjoy reading each and every comment I receive. (I do moderate them before they're published. Gotta keep it family friendly! ;)) Let's chat! B.Y.O.C. {Bring Your Own Chocolate!}