Ellen & Pods alone at last at F&W-with a twist of Vero!9/25-10/1/09 Update12/14 p.15

[MEK]

I love that you rode bikes to DTD. What a great idea! What did pods do while you shopped. Was he pacing outside looking at his watch every 3 minutes.

I have not been to the Basin, but I am promising myself I will get there on my next trip!

I love the OKW pictures. I really think this is where I want to stay when I take my soccer mom friends. I like that the points are low and there are 2 beds in each studio. I am looking forward to trying it. I like that people aren't beating the doors down to stay there. More room for me!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Too bad about CG being so crammed. Looks like you had a nice evening anyway. IKWYM about shopping with Pods. We have the same scenario. "Why do you want that? What do you need it for? You don't need to buy anything for ____________." Jim hates it if I look around - his idea of shopping is just to grab and go!

I was thinking, you're a "foodie" cuz you are a food connoisseur , why isn't a wine connoisseur a "whiney?"

 

[podsnel]

I love that you rode bikes to DTD. What a great idea! What did pods do while you shopped. Was he pacing outside looking at his watch every 3 minutes.

I have not been to the Basin, but I am promising myself I will get there on my next trip!

I love the OKW pictures. I really think this is where I want to stay when I take my soccer mom friends. I like that the points are low and there are 2 beds in each studio. I am looking forward to trying it. I like that people aren't beating the doors down to stay there. More room for me!

Yes, Pods was pacing outside by those flowers I took a picture of, counting the beans in his pocket and cursing out all women and their shopping habits. He was pretty happy when I came out- mostly because I dropped less than $50 in the store!

Too bad about CG being so crammed. Looks like you had a nice evening anyway. IKWYM about shopping with Pods. We have the same scenario. "Why do you want that? What do you need it for? You don't need to buy anything for ____________." Jim hates it if I look around - his idea of shopping is just to grab and go!

I was thinking, you're a "foodie" cuz you are a food connoisseur , why isn't a wine connoisseur a "whiney?"

Ahhh...Jim is just like Pods! Makes Christmas shopping fun, doesn't it?

I think a wine lover is a wine-O...no, that's not right....well, technically it IS right, but a wine-O is not neccessarily a connoisseur...ok! I guess I'm a Whiney! Geez...maybe I'm BOTH!!

 

[podsnel]

We headed directly to France because we KNEW we needed to eat what they had there. The short ribs-

And the escargot-

were both incredibly delicious and never to be missed! We decided to share a Citron Slushie so Pods could try it for the first time, and grope the bottle from whence it came-

Next thing we stopped to eat was in Germany, now it was my turn to grope something!

Seriously, that is one gifted sausage! We also tried the spaetzle, which Pods liked but I thought was overdone. Plus, that meant more sausage for ME! Tee-hee!

We made our way around to India. While we waited for our rice & lentil crepe with potato & onion filling, I took a dessert pic- not that we ate this, it was on display. Gulab Jumun with Rose syrup & pistacios-

It just looked to sweet for us. The crepe was good, although nothing i would dream about. I think they probably could have come up with something tastier for this booth.

In China, we asked what they would reccommend. They said the chicken was delicious, so we went with that. Chicken Urumqi with cumin & traditional Chinese spices-

Ta Daa!

Cheers!

Now, this chicken, while I might not dream about it, was excellent. It was also a very generous portion (compared to many of the other portion sizes at F&W). I hope they have this again, because I definitely want some more! The new booth-

We needed to make our way to the front of the park, as I was signed up for a 2:45 Chef d'France wine & food demo. I had also been signed up for a 1:00 Liberty Tavern one, but skipped it since DH was with me (originally he was supposed to be golfing today and I was supposed to be on my own, but when he nixed the golf, I nixed LTT). We had time to ride MS on our way over. First, Pods stopped in front of the DVC kiosk where I stopped and asked the question, "How long does the tour take?" just 2 years ago. Here he is showing the $1 he has left after that little conversation occured-

We love that ride, and we always ride the more intense version, because that's all that was available the first time we rode, and we're fine on it. Always love a good flight to Mars!!

Next up...are these demos worth it and what exactly does a thimbleful of wine look like?

 

[podsnel]

So Pods went off to enjoy Ellen and her Universe of Energy (and maybe a nap!) while I headed for the festival center-

I was seated with some very nice people, while Pam the MC introduced the champagne chick. THEY drank from great big normal glasses of champagne, while we, the audience grunts, got to look on and save our teeny weeny sips to go with our food. Nice and classy.

The Chef was very charming- he told us he would be preparing escargot. He made it one way, we were given a recipe with a different escargot, and we were served the escargot made the way he prepared it. I think.

The escargot was very tasty, and i enjoyed the presentation which was over in maybe 20 minutes. I did NOT appreciate the teeny weeny itsy bitsy champagne pour, though- when you taste wine, there should be at LEAST enough to swish around in your mouth a couple of times- the first time, to acclimate your palate to the acidity of the wine, the next to actually taste what is in the glass. And if you then want to taste the wine with the food, that should be one more swish. This glass had maybe a little more than one swish worth. So you had to decide what to do- most of us took eensy weensy baby sips and pretended we could taste them. What a waste of time. I won't say there went 20 minutes of my life I'll never get back, because the food part of this was good. The champagne part looked like a really good time for the 3 people on the stage. C'mon, Disney. This isn't a freebie anymore- you're charging people- and we're happy to pay, but give us a little something in return!

ANyway, this was over much more quickly than expected- so when I called Pods and he was just out of his afternoon nap with the other Ellen, it was perfect! We headed back to WS for more fun!

I need to upload- see you soon!

 

[podsnel]

We walked by some purty-purty flowers.

I love plumbago, I try to grow it at home as an annual, but it never grows well in my yard here in NJ. We stopped in Argentina and tried one of the GINORMOUS Beef Empanadas-

Then a taco with pickled onions (I think) from Mexico-

They were both good, I think we preferred the taco. I remember thinking the Mexico City booth looked pretty sturdy for a temporary structure-

I guess cause it was permanent. It was there when F&W closed in November as a Taqueria. Next, a stop in New Zealand for a Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney-

This was more like a meatball than a slider. Not what we were expecting.

Then we went for the other dessert I was dying to try at the festival, the Praline Bread pudding with bourbon caramel sauce over in Nawlins- yummmmmmmmmmmm......

We were FULL! But not yet ready to leave, so we rode the boat across the lagoon and paid a visit to the 3 Cabelleros. On the way in, we peeked in the Ditch-

but a visit there would have to wait for May, because Pods doesn't like tequila and I was too full to drink a Rita. I KNOW! It STINKS!!

I really wanted to ride Soarin before we left the park, so that's where we went next (we had FPs).

Yay! It's Putty!

Back to BCV for a little shopping and to get the car-

Ahhhh...I can't wait for May! Hey look! It's our favorite Valet with the speedy white sneakers! I wonder if his sneakers are still white, being that they are probably getting NO USE since DVC lost free Valet parking...

By the way, i did ask, and all those guys just LOVE their sailor suits!!

Back soon with a quick stop at the Gurgling Suitcase!

 

[Mysteria]

Love the updates! We got a lot a laughter out of that sausage when we got it too.

 

[praisehisname]

Love the update and all the food pictures! Yum!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Yes, Pods was pacing outside by those flowers I took a picture of, counting the beans in his pocket and cursing out all women and their shopping habits. He was pretty happy when I came out- mostly because I dropped less than $50 in the store!



Ahhh...Jim is just like Pods! Makes Christmas shopping fun, doesn't it?

I think a wine lover is a wine-O...no, that's not right....well, technically it IS right, but a wine-O is not neccessarily a connoisseur...ok! I guess I'm a Whiney! Geez...maybe I'm BOTH!!

I like to think I'm a whiney, too! Though I'm not as knowledgable, so maybe that makes me a Wine-O?

 

[MAGICFOR2]

MMM yummy update! I can't believe they didn't give you enough of a taste at the wine tasting - if they're trying to sell it they shouldn't underwhelm everyone. Oh the SAILOR SUIT - I'll bet that's the job all the college boys want!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi Ellen! I just found this...I only looked at the pics so far (page 1 and 2) and will come back to read later. Looks like fun was had! I must visit Vero!!! Hope all is well.

 

[englishrose47]

Scrumptious update Ellen !!!!One of these years I will make it to F &W Fest!!!! My Feb plans are really shaping up!!! Check them out !!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Ok, first of all....


ME TOO! You just can't help but touch it, it's giant!!

You're pictures in Mexico came out so fantastic! I think that might be my favorite place in all of WDW. The day we got back from our cruise, we spent one last day in Epcot and we were just so happy to be back, we spent probably 1/2 hour just sitting near that fountain, soaking it all in.


So what do you mean that Mexico City stand is permanent? What are they doin/selling there?


(AND, have you read my recent update to my TR? I didn't update on the actual trip, but your notice of the "lady with no clue" in my Test Track picture inspired me to write a song.....)

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Ellen got your pm!!! Can't wait to chat!!!!!!!

 

[MEK]

I'm not sure which one Pods is going to pick up - the GGS or the bottle! That is a great looking bottle. Whenever I see one in the liquor store I immediately want to buy Grey Goose.

I'm sorry, but this is too funny. Denny had the history channel on last night and they were showing phallic pictures that the Egyptians wrote on papyrus. I am noticing the similarities. Apparently, this was a common Egyptian past time. hmmmm....wonder why they don't have THOSE pictures in Spaceship Earth?

More great updates Ellen. You are really getting to sample a good assortment of the F & W cuisine. I love your pictures!!!!! Yum Yum!

 

[podsnel]

Back at OKW, I mentioned to DH that I really wanted to check out the OKW watering hole, the Gurgling Suitcase. So many people said such wonderful things about it, I wanted to see what was so great for myself. If you haven't been, it's a pretty small bar- just a couple of rooms. But it has to be Disney's warmest, friendliest, homiest bar! There was no one in there but Ken, the bartender, when we sat down. But the memories of great times past were evident- There are photo albums with YEARS worth of good times had by the families who own at OKW. Holiday parties, just hangin' out, all kind of pics of the great times that have taken place at this bar. I ordered a bloody mary- which was one of the best I had ever had, and Ken explained his secret- Mrs Dash! Ken filled us in on what it's like to be a bartender at GS. Families come at the same time every year, and they are a real community of people who look forward to the time spent at OKW with each other. They are a very dedicated bunch, he said. And a lot of fun. Anyway, while we were there, a man and his son stopped by for a beer- Ken, who is from NJ, introduced us to this man, who was also from NJ. His son sat outside. It seems this man and his family like OKW the most because it is so quiet and laid back- and that really helps their son, who is autistic. And this man was also on the board for COSAC, which is the support organization for autistic people here in NJ. Small world, being that we have an autistic son, too! So we had a nice chat, it was a lovely experience, stopping at the GS. A very warm and inviting place. Here's a few pics-

The maker of the yummy bloody mary, Ken-

We said our goodbyes and went back to get ready for our last dinner of the trip- Citricos! On the way out we passed-

See ya in a few!

 

[englishrose47]

Great Update Ellen !!! So nice you met someone who totally understands autism!!!Ken's Bloody Mary's sound good I might try a "virgin " one !!!

 

[podsnel]

Love the updates! We got a lot a laughter out of that sausage when we got it too.

Funny and delicious! The perfect food!

Love the update and all the food pictures! Yum!

We went out to dinner this weekend and I didn't take any photos at dinner, and it...actually felt STRANGE!!! Pods was like, "Don't ya wanna take pictures of my fish?"

I like to think I'm a whiney, too! Though I'm not as knowledgable, so maybe that makes me a Wine-O?

Could be....

MMM yummy update! I can't believe they didn't give you enough of a taste at the wine tasting - if they're trying to sell it they shouldn't underwhelm everyone. Oh the SAILOR SUIT - I'll bet that's the job all the college boys want!

They were all like "What do you mean? Of course we love our sailor suits! Everyone wants one! They're the coolest!!" Well, that's what the squeeky sneaker boy said- the rest of them just rolled their eyes at him.

Hi Ellen! I just found this...I only looked at the pics so far (page 1 and 2) and will come back to read later. Looks like fun was had! I must visit Vero!!! Hope all is well.

Hi! Vero is very relaxing- I'm hoping to go back after the cruise- I think it would be PERFECT for after DCL. I'll pm you about the movie- I pretty much can meet you whenever- I think it just came out. We could meet at Bridgewater, that's probably about 1/2 way, I think!

Scrumptious update Ellen !!!!One of these years I will make it to F &W Fest!!!! My Feb plans are really shaping up!!! Check them out !!!

Hi Rosie! Yes, you must go to F&W- it's just so much fun!!

Ok, first of all....


ME TOO! You just can't help but touch it, it's giant!!

You're pictures in Mexico came out so fantastic! I think that might be my favorite place in all of WDW. The day we got back from our cruise, we spent one last day in Epcot and we were just so happy to be back, we spent probably 1/2 hour just sitting near that fountain, soaking it all in.


So what do you mean that Mexico City stand is permanent? What are they doin/selling there?


(AND, have you read my recent update to my TR? I didn't update on the actual trip, but your notice of the "lady with no clue" in my Test Track picture inspired me to write a song.....)

I LOVE that pic of you- you always take such facially animated photos, Nicki! The Mexico stand is a taqueria- it sells tacos now. I'll be by to sing your song, soon!! Too funny!

 

[englishrose47]

Hey Ellen your Star pupil just posted 3 yes 3 pix in a row !!!

 

[TigerKat]

OOOOOhhhhh, I am so hoping y'all loved Citricos as much as we did!