WDW Spring Break 2019: Day 1 - Travel Day and Storybook Dining at Artist Point

We survived [our] Spring Break at Walt Disney World! One of the first things people ask me when they find out we went to WDW over break is "Was it busy?" Yes, yes it was. I think it was busier than when we usually go in May (the week leading up to Memorial Day), but Phillip thinks it was about the same. Potato, potato. I do think we went at a good time as far as spring goes. I'm sure the crowds will only continue to increase as it gets closer to Easter. 

Let's talk about the weather. It was cool and breezy, especially at the beginning of the week, but for the most part, I LOVED it. I'll take cooler temps over extreme heat any day. Somebody who didn't love it: Phillip. We were more concerned about rain than it being cold but oddly enough rain only ended up being a factor one day and the cold was a lingering issue. Florida has spring-like weather in spring. We will know for next time.

Flights from Nashville to Orlando are never cheap but we really wanted to fly so we decided to drive to Atlanta and fly from there. I doubt we will ever do that again but it was nice not having to drive 12+ hours. Where there's a will there's a way but maybe it's not the best way or the way anyone else would choose to do it because it's not a good way.

We pulled out of our driveway at 6:00 on Saturday morning, March 16th. It took us about four hours to get to the airport. We got a little lost and never could find Lot A and C (do they even exist?), but we did eventually find a parking spot in a decidedly more expensive lot. It pains me to have paid what we did for parking but another lesson learned. Our flight was a little delayed (on the runway) and we experienced some turbulence, but we landed safely and it only set us back about 15 minutes. 

We took Magical Express to Pop Century (no issues there). Phillip headed straight to the front desk as we had yet to receive a text letting us know our room was ready. He got us checked in and I could not have been happier with our room location. We were assigned to building 4, room 4449, on the 4th floor in the 60's section, close to the pool and more importantly, close to Classic Hall. 

Knowing it could take a while to get from Pop Century to Wilderness Lodge, traveling from resort to resort can be a lengthy process, we made our way to Magic Kingdom after grabbing our refillable mugs and briefly checking out our room. From there we chose to take a boat to Wilderness Lodge (our other option would have been to take a bus). 

I was really impressed with our overall experience at Artist Point. It was recently converted to host Storybook Dining, a character meal featuring Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and the Evil Queen. The food exceeded our expectations and the character interactions were good, especially the Queen. It was a great way to start out our vacation. (We paid out of pocket for this meal.)

One regret: I should have had Lilly wear a different shirt or at least packed a more appropriate one in my carry on for her to change into. 

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ATL

We eventually got the text :)

Ironically, our arrival day was the warmest day

Appetizers

 Lilly's shirt :(

I could cry a little just thinking about it.

 I got the roasted chicken - very good!

Phillip had prime rib. He liked his food too.

Not pictured: both girls had pasta with marinara sauce. Lilly had maybe one bite but Ellen thought it was good.

Ellen trying her best to make a mean face - ha!

The desserts were just okay but they looked good

After exploring the resort, we took a bus back to Magic Kingdom and then another bus to Pop Century.

Showered and ready for bed

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Next Up: Epcot

My only friend, the internet

These are a few of my favorite things...

Podcasts -  I listen to several Disney podcasts and 4 to 5 non-Disney ones. I no longer have a long commute (praise hands) so my car time is limited, but if I am doing any kind of housework (cooking, laundry, dishes, etc.), I am most likely simultaneously listening to one of about a dozen podcasts. One of my favorites is The Popcast, a pop culture podcast. They keep me well informed on the happenings in the entertainment world, tell me what to watch and most importantly, make me laugh. #onwednesdayswepopcast

YouTube - I still watch TV (I'm including Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime under the TV umbrella) but YouTube has become my main source of entertainment. Specifically, Disney related vlogs. Who knew I was going to be that person?

Ok, so maybe I only have two favorite things. :)

Not sure if this really counts but I did recently get some new jeans from Loft that I really like (modern straight leg). I really need to update my wardrobe, jeans in particular as I wear them every day, but finding the right fit hasn't been easy. I think it's mostly because the "current" styles (keep in mind I am at least 5 to 7 years behind on most trends, sometimes more) are not what I am used to seeing my body in. I did also recently buy two pairs of skinny jeans from Target (Universal Thread brand). I got my family's stamp of approval before making the purchase but I wore one of them last week and it was a strange day.

We don’t live near a Trader Joe’s but on our way to a dinner that didn’t end up happening (this was a few weeks ago), we stopped by the one in Green Hills. I had two items on my list but one far outweighed the other: Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups. They are so good. Worth the drive.

Also in the sweets department, dark chocolate and chocolate peanut butter pie are two varieties of Oreos I wholeheartedly endorse. #moreplease

The new(ish) Cheez-It Snap'd crackers are my go-to snack. My favorite flavor is the Cheddar, Sour Cream & Onion.

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Our first-born

Ellen is intelligent, well-informed, probably going to be a Democrat, a good student (very responsible), artistic, a collector of pens, an avid reader at school (it's all about the iPad at home), quiet (tends to keep to herself), funny, easy to talk to, passionate about things important to her, opinionated, organized and structured in some respects (but can NEVER find the item of clothing she is looking for in her drawers), likes to be on time, in denial about her shoe size (sorry girl, mama has big feet), a casual dresser (but very picky about what she wears), a true homebody, indoorsy, built for comfort, not speed... just an overall lovely individual. 

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Our second-born

Lilly is into LOL Surprise! dolls and pets. She also consistently plays with Legos, Calico Critters, Lalaloopsy, Playmobil (we have mostly horse-themed sets) and a little less often but still in the rotation, her dollhouse. I am thankful she still likes to play. I have always enjoyed seeing and hearing her imagination at work. (Ellen’s too.)

Lilly is my sidekick. We hang out, we giggle, we watch movies together (add this to my list of favorite things), we cuddle, we read books, we giggle some more. She tells me I’m the best mom ever. She is thoughtful, smart, a deep-thinker, energetic, fun to be around, a good companion, loving, and so sweet to the dogs (love this about her). Sure, she needs an attitude adjustment on occasion, plays the blame game, holds a grudge like nobody's business (and I know a thing or two about holding grudges), is prone to talk back and can be a sore loser (working on this), but I treasure the time we spend together.

Lilly is still a picky eater. A real creature of habit when it comes to food. Lilly alternates between eating Ramen noodles (chicken or beef) and Tyson chicken nuggets. She likes grapes, apples, strawberries, strawberry applesauce, mandarin oranges, Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, Frosted Flakes, lima beans, Doritos, Snyder's cheese filled pretzels, black olives, Babybel cheese (in the black wrapper), Double Stuf Oreos, cheese pizza Lunchables, and 1% milk (must be from Kroger). She likes Starburst, Skittles, Dove dark chocolate and most anything gummy, including the sour varieties. Not surprisingly, she only likes one brand of sandwich meat in her lunch (but we did discover she will eat the turkey and bread at Firehouse Subs). The only fast food she will eat is Chick-fil-A. And Papa John's is the only pizza she likes so if we order pizza, it's always Papa John's. #brandloyal

I bring up all this to say, eating out with Lilly is a delight. And road trips, food-centric holidays, meals at church... what could possibly go wrong? 

It's been a journey.

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Me: I have to go. I'll see you later.
Lilly: [clinging to me] Don't go.
Me: I have to go now.
Lilly: Ok, but kiss me like you wish you didn't have to.

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I planned on writing more but seeing as it's taken me three weeks to get this far, I think it's time to call it and hit publish. I do hope to get back in the swing of things here on the blog. We'll see. 😬

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I'm off to start packing/organizing for our trip. #disneybound

Long time no see

Almost a year has come and gone since my last posts, which were all about Walt Disney World, and ironically here we are less than a month away from our next Disney vacation. I've always said I would never go to WDW for Spring Break so of course that is exactly what we are doing. It's going to be fine. Or at least that is what I keep telling myself. Here is a quick rundown of our trip: 8 days, 7 park days, staying at Pop Century again, quick service meal plan, a few fun extras (Early Morning Magic at Hollywood Studios, Storybook Dining at Wilderness Lodge), and to ensure our car doesn't break down, leaving us stranded like last time, we are not driving all the way to Florida (take that, Universe!). Since the flights out of Nashville cost more than we were willing to pay, we decided to drive to Atlanta and fly down from there. If we were to have any issues, we would only be about 4 hours from home once we land back in Atlanta. I did get a new car in October* so really we could have driven with less trepidation but Lilly gets carsick and I have a bad leg so this plan makes sense for us.

*Someone rear-ended me which ended up totaling my car. We replaced my 2005 Toyota Camry with a 2019 GMC Acadia, which I love, but isn't cheap. Thanks to my parents generosity, we haven't had a car payment in years. So needless to say, this purchase is throwing a kink in our finances. But I am working full-time again* so if there had to be an accident and that accident had to total my car, the timing couldn't have been better.

*After a year working before-care at the girl's school five mornings a week, followed by working at the day school at my church Monday-Thursday, I decided/knew without a shadow of a doubt that that life was not for me. I am still working before-care but at our new school (we were rezoned to a newly built K-8th a few miles from the house), mostly out of convenience, but where I am also a Special Ed Teacher Assistant. This job is probably also not the life for me but... car payment. And I get to take both girls to school and I get to see Lilly multiple times a day, including lunchtime. There's a lot of good in the situation. (Which is something I have to keep reminding myself.)

Ellen is missing her friends that went on to Heritage Middle but I think it all worked out for the best. She is in the orchestra at Thompson's Station Middle. Didn't see that one coming. Pro tip: people who play the viola are very offended if you mistake their instrument for a violin. Or at least this offends one person I know who plays the viola. :)

Lilly is enjoying 1st grade. Her transition from HES to TSES has been very smooth. And we love Mrs. Carpenter!

Both Ellen and Lilly are active in their respective youth groups at church. It keeps them busy, Ellen especially, but in the very best way. On that note, Lads to Leaders practices are in full swing. Phillip is helping coach Lilly's puppet team again this year. In case you were wondering, he's still the best. :)

There is so much more that could be said, like Ellen has braces and Lilly wears glasses and I am listening to the Anne of Green Gables series to preserve some of my sanity, but it is past my bedtime so those things will have to keep for another time.