Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[nilla]

Darn...we are going in September.

You never did make it over to my TR. But I'll forgive you if you join my PTR.



Sorry for the hijack, MaryEllen.

I will read at both! I will!

I'm a chronic procrastinator, though that's no excuse. I am still adjusting to reading more than one TR at a time, though

 

[Wicket's Mom]

We are going the day after Labor Day. May I will be there the same time as some of you. I like that time, it used to be very quiet.

 

[MEK]

We have good will power when it comes to resisting the urge to get a drink on that day. Well, as long as you don't count the drink at dinner, booze-filled dessert, and drinks back at the resort that night

Isn't it amazing how kids can give you that will power! When my kids were that age I knew I needed every bit of energy for them.

And - NO - the dinner drinks and booze filled desserts do NOT count!

Darn...we are going in September.

You never did make it over to my TR. But I'll forgive you if you join my PTR.



Sorry for the hijack, MaryEllen.

No problem! You are going late September - right? Ahhhhh....Sept.....so tempting. I wish I could live there for the whole month of September and the first two weeks of October, too!

I will read at both! I will!

I'm a chronic procrastinator, though that's no excuse. I am still adjusting to reading more than one TR at a time, though

Kathy - its obvious that we can't push him too hard or...well....we don't know what might happen! But it probably won't be pretty!

We are going the day after Labor Day. May I will be there the same time as some of you. I like that time, it used to be very quiet.

Well, if I do go late August through LD weekend you better believe I am staying for a few days after Labor Day. I have always wanted to be there right after LD. I bet it is the lowest crowds of the year!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

My DH & I have gone twice the day after Labor Day. The parks were so empty, it was unbelieveable! No waits for anything, we sometimes just stayed on the ride since no one was waiting.

The last trip was in the middle of Sept. which was a different story. Seemed crowded to us after that. So many school aged children were there also.

 

[MEK]

My DH & I have gone twice the day after Labor Day. The parks were so empty, it was unbelieveable! No waits for anything, we sometimes just stayed on the ride since no one was waiting.

The last trip was in the middle of Sept. which was a different story. Seemed crowded to us after that. So many school aged children were there also.

When my kids were younger we would go the very last week of August leading up and through LD weekend. My kids often don't start school until after LD. Once year I got an amazing deal on a flight that left at 7:30pm on LD monday. My kids hated me for getting them home so late the day before school started, but by 4pm there was no one left at Disneyworld. Our resort looked like a ghost town. I remember wishing I could just stay there.

 

[cdotla]

OK...I admit. I am totally overwhelmed about jumping in at this point. But you have links, so I will give it a go!

Will try to catch up as soon as I can!

 

[MEK]

OK...I admit. I am totally overwhelmed about jumping in at this point. But you have links, so I will give it a go!

Will try to catch up as soon as I can!

Well, here's the good thing about our TR - less words, more pictures! Thanks for joining in!

 

[kschafer]

OMG MEK How am I just finding this now?????

Looks like I have some catching up to do

 

[kschafer]

Oh how I long to stay here someday

 

[MEK]

Has it Really Been that long since I posted last?????

Well, friends, you are probably not going to believe this but I have very few remaining pictures for this day. I know, I know....hard to believe, but I must have gotten tired of working that camera. I guess as I gave in to the power of the adult beverages, my motivation for taking my camera in and out of the bag faltered.

Hopefully Jen will supply us with more pictures to tell the tale.

After Jen and I polished off our frozen ritas and departed Norway, we made a stop at the very next place where we could buy adult beverages. That would be the Joy of Tea Stand in China. I think they have a very eclectic menu and I found it painless to deplete the last few dollars on my Disney gift card. Not bad, considering it was our last night. I was hoping not to have to convert over to the regular credit card, but alas......

So my choice.....Mango Gingerita - with Vodka and Rum $7.50

I can't tell you what Jen had. I don't even remember whether Jen bought a drink here or whether she waited until we got to Germany to get a beer.

In case you were wondering. Here is the rest of the list from the Tea Stand. I heard the Canto Loopy is very good, but I think I am going for the Green Tea Plum slush in May.


Alcoholic Beverages
Mango Gingerita - with Vodka and Rum $7.50
Canto Loopy - with Vodka and Cantelope Juice $7.50
Peach Snapl - with Schnapps $7.50
Green Tea Plum Slush - with Plum Wine $7.50
Tsing Tao Beer $5.75
Tsing Tao Pure Draft Beer $5.75
Plum Wine $4.99

My drink was pretty yummy except that it was speckled with small pieces of ginger which was just a little weird in that in added a strange texture to the drink. But whatever, it was my third adult beverage and, as a result, I was becoming increasingly tolerant of such a small idiosyncrasy.

I managed to snap one picture as we pass the African outpost

Next Stop ......Germany and another KP Mission. I remember very little of this mission. Again - I must have been feeling the effects of the adult beverages. Jen operated the Kimmunicator and I followed along. I was just sort-of zoning out until we got to this......

The Beer Steins! Now these may look like innocent beer steins, but let me tell you....when they started to open up and sing I thought I was going to lose it. Seriously, it was sooooooooo freakin' funny. I have no idea what they were singing, but it certainly drew the attention of other people in the shop. They were looking over at us with the "what the heck is that?" look.

After finally composed ourselves Jen decided she HAD to try on this hat.

OMG! I bet they sell a lot of those during food and wine!

Which gives me a brilliant idea. While I was doing a little research to figure the names of the drinks I had, I came across this fun website.

http://partythroughtheparks.squares...round-the-world-at-epcots-world-showcase.html

It's a drinking/eating/sightseeing game for the world showcase complete with score cards. I thought it would be fun for the East Meets West trip in May. The best part is the winner actually gets a prize.....or a ****y (joke) prize.

Watch Out Ladies. I think one of us is destined to win this:

Ok - I digress!

Well, since Jen and I had so much fun listening to the signing beer steins, we somehow reprogrammed the kimmunicator so we could do that part of the mission over again

I just found this on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkoQl9ztc4M

Definitely funnier after three drinks.

Well, after our extended version of the KP Germany mission, we checked the time only to realize that we better start making our way to our dinner ADR.

Remember, I told you we had changed our ADR from Yak and Yeti. As it turns out, the only ADR available in the world showcase was as the Beirgarten, but it wasn't until much later. So we opted for a ADR at Kouzinna. Neither of us had been there, so we figured we'd give it a try. We enjoyed our leisurely walk and we arrived right in time for our ADR. In fact, we found the restaurant fairly empty when we arrived.

Again - I was light on the pictures, but I did remember to take a few of the light fixtures.

I do remember that I started my meal with the Greek Wine Flight

Greek Isles Flight $15.00

Sigalas, Assyrtiko Blend, Santorini - Lean and crisp, citrus blossoms, Asian pear and fig, lots of minerality and bright citrus acidity

Argyros, Atlantis White, Santorini - 100% Assyrtiko shows white blossoms, refreshing and crisp blend of lemons and limes, pears with bracing acidity

Enoteca Emery, Athiri, Rhodes - Bright and clean with lemon, green melon, and white peach

I think Jen has a white wine sangria which also looked pretty yummy!

Sangria Kouzzina - house blend Sangria Glass $7.50 Pitcher $25.00

My dinner entree was the

Fisherman’s Stew - Scallops, seasonal Fish, Shellfish, Fennel, Grilled Bread, and Ouzo Butter $25.99


And for Jen

This is my "best guess" for what Jen's entree was

Cinnamon-stewed Chicken - with Tomatoes, Herbed Orzo, and Kasseri Cheese $22.99

Jen and I really enjoyed this restaurant. We liked the food, although my dish was "spicy hot" and that tends to annoy me after awhile. I get to the point where I am tasting all hot spice and not the food. Still, it was very good. We loved the relaxed atmosphere and we sat and talked for awhile about everything - work, friends, DH's, and our trip. We concluded that it was a great trip and we were so happy that we got to share such a fun experience.

And then, it was time for dessert.

For Me....

Chocolate Budino Cake - Warm Molten Chocolate with Whipped Sweet Cream $8.49

Honestly, as good as this cake looks, it really wasn't that great. I expected it to be a bit sweeter. Maybe that's how a traditional chocolate cake tastes in Greece. I just have a bit more of a sweet tooth, especially if I am going to eat that many calories.

And Jen....

A Sweet Ending to Your Celebration . . . Baklava - Traditional Walnut and Cinnamon Pastry with Pistachio Gelato $7.49

I do remember a lot of texting go and back and forth between Jen and one of our coworkers whose husband is from Greece. Jen was trying to get recommendations on what to order. I do believe she really enjoyed her Baklava!

When we left Kouzinna the sun was just about to reach its final descent and it was a lovely evening. A lovely evening for a few pictures.

As Jen and I headed back to the world showcase we realized we still had some time to do a little shopping and sight seeing before the park was going to close. We stopped at the beverage stand in Morocco and I got a Moroccorita. (Like I needed another drink..lol!) Again, I have no idea what Jen got.

Moroccarita - Vodka, Lemon/Lime Juice, and Triple Sec

Next stop.....fishing for pearls.

continued in next post......

 

[MEK]

I don't have any pictures to commemorate this special event, but I did find a you tube video called "crazy pearl chick" and she looks a lot like the girl who opened my oyster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHPf-B97nXI

Jen totally lucked out and got a beautiful 8mm pearl. My pearl measured in at 7.5mm. I had my pearl put in a setting to wear on a chain. Its such a lovely reminder of a great trip! I hope Jen has some pics!

When we went back out to the world showcase Illuminations was just starting.

Jen and I still had to do one more thing before we could leave the World Showcase for the evening. We still had a kimmunicator in our possession, so off we went to China to find the drop box.

Yeah - it was our last evening, probably our last time in Epcot for awhile, so I took a few more night shots and enjoyed the evening.

All too soon it was time to leave.

My last picture of the evening was a sad attempt to capture the sparkles in the pavement!

Up Next...Day 6.....The Closer!

 

[MEK]

OMG MEK How am I just finding this now?????

Looks like I have some catching up to do

Well, where have you been girlfriend?????

Oh how I long to stay here someday

I hear ya! which is exactly why I like my SSR points. I know I can always get a treehouse!

 

[glennbo123]

Boy, you did have a drink or two. Nothing wrong with that. It looks like you had a really enjoyable evening.

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a fun time you had drinking around World Showcase and doing Kim Possible missions! I want to try that Green Plum Slushie thing -- oh, and I would like to play that game you found!

Kouzzina looks delicious! Now, I am wondering if I should rethink an ADR...

 

[MEK]

Boy, you did have a drink or two. Nothing wrong with that. It looks like you had a really enjoyable evening.

Glenn - I almost missed your comment, so I am editing it in now. Probably will have to wait until later for other responses. Amd - YES - we did have a drink or two or five (if you count the wine flight as one). I paid for it the next day. It was definitely a SLOWWWWWWW morning.

What a fun time you had drinking around World Showcase and doing Kim Possible missions! I want to try that Green Plum Slushie thing -- oh, and I would like to play that game you found!

It was a great last evening. I can't wait and finish those KP missions in May!

That game looks fun, doesn't it? I like that you get points for food and attractions!

Kouzzina looks delicious! Now, I am wondering if I should rethink an ADR...

You should see the breakfast menu. that looks amazing!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Jen's hat is totally cracking me up! Sounds like a really fun evening!

 

[eandesmom]

After Jen and I polished off our frozen ritas and departed Norway, we made a stop at the very next place where we could buy adult beverages. That would be the Joy of Tea Stand in China. I think they have a very eclectic menu and I found it painless to deplete the last few dollars on my Disney gift card. Not bad, considering it was our last night. I was hoping not to have to convert over to the regular credit card, but alas......

So my choice.....Mango Gingerita - with Vodka and Rum $7.50

I can't tell you what Jen had. I don't even remember whether Jen bought a drink here or whether she waited until we got to Germany to get a beer.

In case you were wondering. Here is the rest of the list from the Tea Stand. I heard the Canto Loopy is very good, but I think I am going for the Green Tea Plum slush in May.

I want a canta loopy! The texture of the ginger would have bugged me.

The Beer Steins! Now these may look like innocent beer steins, but let me tell you....when they started to open up and sing I thought I was going to lose it. Seriously, it was sooooooooo freakin' funny. I have no idea what they were singing, but it certainly drew the attention of other people in the shop. They were looking over at us with the "what the heck is that?" look.

do they only do that on a mission? I love that!!!!!!!!!

Remember, I told you we had changed our ADR from Yak and Yeti. As it turns out, the only ADR available in the world showcase was as the Beirgarten, but it wasn't until much later. So we opted for a ADR at Kouzinna. Neither of us had been there, so we figured we'd give it a try. We enjoyed our leisurely walk and we arrived right in time for our ADR. In fact, we found the restaurant fairly empty when we arrived.

I had no idea you'd eaten there! Fun to see an unexpected review

As Jen and I headed back to the world showcase we realized we still had

1205]some time to do a little shopping
and sight seeing before the park was going to close. We stopped at the beverage stand in Morocco and I got a Moroccorita. (Like I needed another drink..lol!) Again, I have no idea what Jen got.

Moroccarita - Vodka, Lemon/Lime Juice, and Triple Sec


[/QUOTE]

Moroccarita! Oh my! ok my question is, at this point, how did you feel the next day? there was a lot of mixin going on.... ginger thingy to wine to the morroccorita.... I am

 

[MEK]

Jen's hat is totally cracking me up! Sounds like a really fun evening!

I seriously hope she does not have a picture of ME in that hat! I probably wouldn't have worn it quite as well.

 

[MEK]

I want a canta loopy! The texture of the ginger would have bugged me.

It was a tad annoying. I had to either swallow it and spit it back in the cup. EWWWWWH. There was a lot of swallowing going on. The flavor was really good, though. Totally different.

do they only do that on a mission? I love that!!!!!!!!!



:

Only during a mission, so you know what that means. So, between drink in hand and mission, I think that would land us 15 points. Add a pretzel from Germany and we are up to 20!

I had no idea you'd eaten there! Fun to see an unexpected review

:

That was really the only ADR we could get that was (1) open and (2) before 9:30pm. It worked out well. I'm glad we tried it. I would definitely go back and I would totally get that wine flight again because that was some enjoyable wine.

Moroccarita! Oh my! ok my question is, at this point, how did you feel the next day? there was a lot of mixin going on.... ginger thingy to wine to the morroccorita.... I am

I'm going to have to blame that last one on Jen. I think she bought it for me before I had time to process. And then, I HAD to drink it.

I felt the mix the next day. Very slow start to the day!

 

[dawnbu40]

Sounds like a fun last evening!
Glad you enjoyed Kouzzina. We ate there in Sept (same situation only place we could get a last minute adr) and none of us cared for it.

Love the night pics of Boardwalk! Such a beautiful resort