"One More Waffle!" An October 2011 TR! *Update 4/24, pg 70-The End!*

[DisneyCrafter]

We had THE best spot for Illuminations this past trip. We got there at like 730, though. However, that band that plays in Canada and I can't for the life of me think of the name right now (UGH!) played for just about 15 minutes or so but it still helped to pass the time. Okay, so want to know where the spot is? You know the posts in Canada that are gray and decorated with the Maple Leaf? Go there! You could see EVERYTHING. Seriously, if you love Illuminations, you'll love it even more after seeing it from there. Just go early. I suggest grabbing some snacks and enjoying them while you wait and you can people watch!

There is no denying it now, fall is definitely, without a doubt our favorite time of year to go to Disney. You know how you mentioned that putting Disney in the past is so hard? Well, we had an experience on our last night that made me want to put it in the past and even made it hard to come on the DIS when I got home. I ended up crying my way out of the MK as Wishes was going on b/c we were bullied out of our spots by two families. We got to the hub and found a spot pretty easily pretty near the curb on the left side of the castle toward the opening to the partner's statue area. People obviously filled in around us and many ended up sitting down and we had NO room left to sit down even if we wanted to. So the 'Magic, Memories and You' show begins and someone yelled at Greg to sit down and Greg then tried to kneel at least but it just wasn't comfortable because there wasn't any space. So I told him just to stand up. I was already pretty cranky that we would get yelled at like that. Comments continued for the duration of the show, such as "This is the happiest place on Earth." and other mumblings I couldn't quite catch. Anyway as soon as the show ended and Wishes was about to start the guy behind me said "please" (I don't think he spoke much English). I told him that there wasn't any room and the fireworks were in the sky. He said okay and then I heard it again and then the other family chimed in and finally I just gave in and attempted to sit because they were saying "Go to the back!", but I got there first! You know what they did? Clapped! I got so frustrated I stood back up for just a minute before I just couldn't take their comments anymore and did something not so Disneyfied and walked away. There were other people near us standing and the people behind them never said anything. We just got unlucky. I've never seen so many people sit for it before either. Even when it was packed on Easter last year and for the 40th fireworks. The majority of people were sitting basically around the entire hub unless you were on the curb or behind the bushes. We obviously couldn't just stop in front of someone else to block their view so we just left the park. I was too upset to stay. I'm embarrassed for the action I took but I was provoked. There are too many people in the park this time of year and Disney tries to stuff as many people in the park as possible so they can bank on it and they don't care about the tourist's happiness enough. There was not enough room for everyone to watch Wishes, people in front to the sides and the back as we were walking out were getting yelled at by CM's every two feet because they were trying to watch the fireworks but I don't blame them, where were they supposed to watch it from, all of the viewing areas were full! Greg wanted to go to Guest Relations and complain but I told him that it wasn't worth it, that we weren't the only people treated like crap because some guests feel the need to be rude to other guests b/c they feel entitled to whatever they want because they paid to get into the park.

 

[Nermel9]

Great update! I can't WAIT to try Via Napoli but it won't be until 2013 (unless we try it for a QS meal in July at some point)! Ugh, those people next to you guys would have really made me mad too! We actually saw that happen at the Olive Garden in Orange...this woman ordered something, at 3/4 of it then complained that it had too much garlic and she doesn't like garlic (ummm you're in an ITALIAN RESTAURANT YOU HALF WIT....) so they brought her something else, she ate THE WHOLE THING then complained that it was "cold" and she wasn't paying for either entree! I was appalled and mortified at the same time! I could never act like that and it's so shameful to me that some people don't even think twice about it! I suppose if people don't understand what they're ordering (in your case, the thin crust, brick oven pizza) then it might not be what they were anticipating...but to eat more than half of it and THEN complain...and LOUDLY at that...makes me feel like you were fishing for a free meal in the first place. If I order something and there is something wrong with it, I will say something to the server but not start making loud comments so everyone can hear. YOU complaining isn't going to make MY food suddenly taste disgusting so you just look like an ignorant jerk!

Ok rant over!

that 2nd pic in your Illuminations section is SO PRETTY! Great job!

Sorry it rained on you guys again! We bought the Disney ponchos back in like 2006 and I HATED it! The stupid thing kept choking me so I tried to cut it a little to put a little more give in it and it ended up ripping like 4 inches down the front. How annoying!

that stinks that this was your last full day! I loved reading this TR! I'm so glad you have another one coming up soon!!!

Via Napoli is so good, you are going to love it when you go there! Hopefully there won't be any annoying, complain-y people there though!

Ugh...I'm starting to get worried about the weather now for our May trip, now that it's so close...and I'm worrying about getting sick! Although, I have a cold now, so hopefully this will be it and I'll be perfectly healthy in May! If I have to deal with rain or sickness again, I'm probably going to lose my mind! I hate wearing a poncho! Mine was choking me too, I think I ripped mine a little, and where exactly are you supposed to put your Minnie ears wearing one of those stupid things?

I love your Food and Wine pics! They're always so amazing!

Please don't keep your weirdness out of your TRs! I love it!

HAHA you were right! HOVELS.

We can never talk about cheese sauce enough, I mean really.

UGH, what's up with annoying people complaining in Disney restaurants!

Oh no...the last day! But at least your next trip is only 30 days away!!

Thanks!

I don't know why I became so obsessed with Hovels. It just sounded so funny to me...it still does!

Yum, cheese sauce! I'm so going to Casey's because of all this cheese sauce talk!

I don't care if people complain in restaurants, but at least have a real reason to complain...if you don't like your pizza, don't stuff it down your face and THEN expect to not pay for it! Ugh!

28 days!

I LOVE cheese fondue! Ron hates it though. So I barely have it anymore. Another reason to go to Food & Wine!

Fondue is so good! We used to have a fondue restaurant a couple of towns over that we went to all the time, and it closed, so now I never get to have it anymore. And Brandon hated it there, he just went because I liked it.

We were at Epcot that night, too. The rain was horrible!

Via Napoli looks it was great, even with the complaining people. I'm planning on getting the tiramisu next month, so I'm glad to hear it was good.

I'm so done with rain on Disney trips! The next day was even worse!

Via Napoli was SO good! The tiramisu was fantastic, I can't wait to go back there sometime!

OMG...so that picture of the chandelier in Via Napoli...I saw something on facebook the other day where someone posted a "Where in the World?" photo and it was OF THAT LAMP! I had no idea what it was but now I do. Ok sorry I know that was random but I had to share. Anyway...that place is so good. I can't wait to eat there next week!

That is a pretty awesome picture of Illuminations (the second one with the lasers).

Gotta love those Disney rice crispy treats. But yeah, I agree, not even a rice krispy treat can get rid of the almost-end-of-the-trip blues.

Haha, that's so strange! I hope you went back and said you knew where the lamp was!

I love that Illuminations picture, it's probably the best one I've ever taken!

I can't believe it took me so long to discover Disney rice krispy treats, I didn't have one until 2010 I think! Crazy!

Yay Germany! Heh, I always find German to be very easy to pronounce, usually just the way its written. And most Germans have no problem with mispronunciations (I did a study abroad in Germany a few years back and at least that's what I remember!). Was the cheese booth with a country? The baguette reminds me of all the awesome bread I had in Germany (seriously, it was about 2/3rds of my diet. At least the part of Germany I was in wasn't very adventurous with their cooking!).

Okay, those other Via Napoli people are weird. I love my food well done - especially pizza! It's all nice and crispy. And then you have the gooey cheese and sauce on top? Yum. Via Napoli is the restaurant that I most want to go to at WDW and it kind of irritates me that people are there and not appreciating it. Enjoy your freaking amazing pizza and restaurant!!

I hate ponchos too. I'll be that annoying person who carries an umbrella because I get weirdly claustrophobic wearing that much plastic so close to my body. Probably because I was that kid who always read the 'not a toy, do not place on head' warnings on plastic grocery bags, but ponchos really weird me out.

The Cheese booth was just a Cheese booth, I don't think it was with a country, but it was right across from the German beer booth, so maybe it was part German? I'm not sure, I think it was just random cheese stuff from around the world. All I cared about was the fondue! But the little bread thing was really good, and dipped in that fondue...OMG...sooooo good!

I think those people were just looking to get something free, and well, they did. I mean, if you really don't like something you're not going to eat most of it and then complain about it. Everything there was so good, I haven't tried the pizza, but it looks awesome!

Ugh I don't like ponchos either, not only are they really uncomfortable, but you just look so stupid in them! And it only keeps your top half dry, your pants and feet still get soaked! Ugh! No more rain in Disney!

 

[Nermel9]

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your dinner at Via Napoli! How annoying about your table neighbors though!! You can't eat most of something then claim it's inedible!! I had read that there were problems happening there, because people didn't know what to expect with thin crust brick oven pizza, and they were starting to have to undercook the dough a little so people wouldn't complain about it being burned! (again, )

So sad that it was your last night in Disney! At least it ended nicely with Illuminations and a rice krispie treat!

Via Napoli was awesome, I will definitely be going back! Ugh, those people were really annoying, just send it back when you first get it if you don't like it! That's strange that people thought the crust was too cooked or too thin there, but I guess it's more of a Northeast thing? We're used to that up here...I actually LOVE deep dish pizza, and people in CT think that is so weird! Like I'm breaking some sacred pizza rule by liking both kinds!

It was a nice ending for our last night, but the last night in Disney is always hard!

Last nights are always hard, but you certainly made the most of your last evening. Your meals look great.

And - yeah - pretty strange to ask to have the pizza taken off the check. You should send it back when its barely eaten. I hate overhearing discontent in Disney. It's just uncomfortable.

Pretty end of the night pics!

Via Napoli was really good, I'm glad we tried it!

Yeah I hate hearing things like that in Disney, I try to keep my complaining to a minimum when I'm there!

Thanks!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE CHEESE FONDUE!!

I would probably drink it if there is some left without bread! Or at least get a spoon to shovel it in!

Via Nappoli looks awesome as it usually dose! Every time I see a review of it I look at my planning wall and try and figure out a way to fit it in! I just don't see any spots for it though!

Yeah for Illuminations again! Can't wait to see it in October! Its been at least 14 years!!

Sad final night pics! I would delay leaving as long as possible too!!

Haha, I wish I could remember if I drank the rest of that cheese fondue, I probably did and then blocked the memory of it because it was embarrassing!

Ohhh, you should try to find a way to go Via Napoli, it's fantastic!

It's always so hard to leave the last park of the trip. At least we had a half a day left, but still, it wasn't fun leaving!

Okay....after reading your Via Napoli update I am SOOOOOO anxious to try it out next month. I mean, my "I can't wait for my trip" radar was at its normal 7, but seeing that pasta and the tiramisu love pushed it to a 10!

All your food looked amazing, and it all looks so filling. I think my stomach just growled.....


Man, I got a little sad reading about your last night at Epcot and watching IllumiNations. It's so hard to say goodbye to the parks, especially when you've had a really good trip.

I KNOW, I can't wait for my trip either, I'm probably at a 9 right now, but in a few days, I'll be at a 10! I still have 4 weeks of work to get through, ugh, that's the worst! If it was 4 weeks of nothing, it would fly by!

Everything at Via Napoli was great, my pasta was awesome, and the tiramisu!!! Yum!!!

It was really hard to leave Epcot that night, even though I knew we were coming back the next day for a few hours, it was still so sad!

We had THE best spot for Illuminations this past trip. We got there at like 730, though. However, that band that plays in Canada and I can't for the life of me think of the name right now (UGH!) played for just about 15 minutes or so but it still helped to pass the time. Okay, so want to know where the spot is? You know the posts in Canada that are gray and decorated with the Maple Leaf? Go there! You could see EVERYTHING. Seriously, if you love Illuminations, you'll love it even more after seeing it from there. Just go early. I suggest grabbing some snacks and enjoying them while you wait and you can people watch!

There is no denying it now, fall is definitely, without a doubt our favorite time of year to go to Disney. You know how you mentioned that putting Disney in the past is so hard? Well, we had an experience on our last night that made me want to put it in the past and even made it hard to come on the DIS when I got home. I ended up crying my way out of the MK as Wishes was going on b/c we were bullied out of our spots by two families. We got to the hub and found a spot pretty easily pretty near the curb on the left side of the castle toward the opening to the partner's statue area. People obviously filled in around us and many ended up sitting down and we had NO room left to sit down even if we wanted to. So the 'Magic, Memories and You' show begins and someone yelled at Greg to sit down and Greg then tried to kneel at least but it just wasn't comfortable because there wasn't any space. So I told him just to stand up. I was already pretty cranky that we would get yelled at like that. Comments continued for the duration of the show, such as "This is the happiest place on Earth." and other mumblings I couldn't quite catch. Anyway as soon as the show ended and Wishes was about to start the guy behind me said "please" (I don't think he spoke much English). I told him that there wasn't any room and the fireworks were in the sky. He said okay and then I heard it again and then the other family chimed in and finally I just gave in and attempted to sit because they were saying "Go to the back!", but I got there first! You know what they did? Clapped! I got so frustrated I stood back up for just a minute before I just couldn't take their comments anymore and did something not so Disneyfied and walked away. There were other people near us standing and the people behind them never said anything. We just got unlucky. I've never seen so many people sit for it before either. Even when it was packed on Easter last year and for the 40th fireworks. The majority of people were sitting basically around the entire hub unless you were on the curb or behind the bushes. We obviously couldn't just stop in front of someone else to block their view so we just left the park. I was too upset to stay. I'm embarrassed for the action I took but I was provoked. There are too many people in the park this time of year and Disney tries to stuff as many people in the park as possible so they can bank on it and they don't care about the tourist's happiness enough. There was not enough room for everyone to watch Wishes, people in front to the sides and the back as we were walking out were getting yelled at by CM's every two feet because they were trying to watch the fireworks but I don't blame them, where were they supposed to watch it from, all of the viewing areas were full! Greg wanted to go to Guest Relations and complain but I told him that it wasn't worth it, that we weren't the only people treated like crap because some guests feel the need to be rude to other guests b/c they feel entitled to whatever they want because they paid to get into the park.

That sounds like a great place to watch Illuminations! Do you know where I really want to watch it from? The bridge between France and England, but it fills up so quickly!

Ugh, I'm so sorry about your Wishes experience, that's awful! People are starting to be SO freakin rude at Disney, I can't stand it. Most people are pretty nice, but it seems like lately, when it's fireworks, or a show, or parade, people get really vocal about whether or not they can see, or their kids can see and just push and shove to get the best spot. It's kind of like what happened with us at the first MNSSHP, we had our spot on the curb for the parade for 45 MINUTES and we wanted to stand, but that stupid woman behind us had to complain the whole time about us standing and getting her kids in front of us no matter what. I'm really, really surprised I didn't flip out, if that ever happens again, I'm definitely saying something. Ugh. It was months ago and it STILL makes me so mad!!! I don't blame you for doing what you did, it seems like maybe they should start doing Wishes twice on nights that it is so crowded to avoid these issues.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Great update! Your F&W choices for the evening looked so good! Especially the cheese. I am a cheese lover, so that is definitely on my list to try!

I'm so glad you enjoyed Via Napoli. I'd love to eat there sometime soon. That stinks about the table next to you, though. I hate when people have to be so loud in a restaurant! It's like they're trying to make a scene.

I can't believe the trip is almost over!

 

[newlittleminnie]

I just wanted to say a BIG thank you! for you're awesome TR

I leave for my FIRST Disney vacation in 18 week and your TR has given me some great ideas of things to do and places to eat

Although I do have to complain that you have now got me hooked on the idea of collecting vinylmation! My purse will not thank you for that I REALLY want a Donald Duck one, he is my favourite

You're TR was really easy to read too, just the right mix of words and pictures, I read it all in one night!

Can't wait for the next one!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Ah- Men! They never listen when we are right do they! LOL

I love fondue! That looked yummy!!!! Makes me want some now! HAHA

Never yet been to Via Napoli, but your food looked so good!!!

I'm the SAME WAY about Tiramisu! Almost everytime I see it on a menu, I get!

Makes me sad your TR is almost over, but soon you'll be writing your May TR!!!!!!!!

 

[Simba22]

We had THE best spot for Illuminations this past trip. We got there at like 730, though. However, that band that plays in Canada and I can't for the life of me think of the name right now (UGH!) played for just about 15 minutes or so but it still helped to pass the time. Okay, so want to know where the spot is? You know the posts in Canada that are gray and decorated with the Maple Leaf? Go there! You could see EVERYTHING. Seriously, if you love Illuminations, you'll love it even more after seeing it from there. Just go early. I suggest grabbing some snacks and enjoying them while you wait and you can people watch!

There is no denying it now, fall is definitely, without a doubt our favorite time of year to go to Disney. You know how you mentioned that putting Disney in the past is so hard? Well, we had an experience on our last night that made me want to put it in the past and even made it hard to come on the DIS when I got home. I ended up crying my way out of the MK as Wishes was going on b/c we were bullied out of our spots by two families. We got to the hub and found a spot pretty easily pretty near the curb on the left side of the castle toward the opening to the partner's statue area. People obviously filled in around us and many ended up sitting down and we had NO room left to sit down even if we wanted to. So the 'Magic, Memories and You' show begins and someone yelled at Greg to sit down and Greg then tried to kneel at least but it just wasn't comfortable because there wasn't any space. So I told him just to stand up. I was already pretty cranky that we would get yelled at like that. Comments continued for the duration of the show, such as "This is the happiest place on Earth." and other mumblings I couldn't quite catch. Anyway as soon as the show ended and Wishes was about to start the guy behind me said "please" (I don't think he spoke much English). I told him that there wasn't any room and the fireworks were in the sky. He said okay and then I heard it again and then the other family chimed in and finally I just gave in and attempted to sit because they were saying "Go to the back!", but I got there first! You know what they did? Clapped! I got so frustrated I stood back up for just a minute before I just couldn't take their comments anymore and did something not so Disneyfied and walked away. There were other people near us standing and the people behind them never said anything. We just got unlucky. I've never seen so many people sit for it before either. Even when it was packed on Easter last year and for the 40th fireworks. The majority of people were sitting basically around the entire hub unless you were on the curb or behind the bushes. We obviously couldn't just stop in front of someone else to block their view so we just left the park. I was too upset to stay. I'm embarrassed for the action I took but I was provoked. There are too many people in the park this time of year and Disney tries to stuff as many people in the park as possible so they can bank on it and they don't care about the tourist's happiness enough. There was not enough room for everyone to watch Wishes, people in front to the sides and the back as we were walking out were getting yelled at by CM's every two feet because they were trying to watch the fireworks but I don't blame them, where were they supposed to watch it from, all of the viewing areas were full! Greg wanted to go to Guest Relations and complain but I told him that it wasn't worth it, that we weren't the only people treated like crap because some guests feel the need to be rude to other guests b/c they feel entitled to whatever they want because they paid to get into the park.

I think Off Kilter is the band you're thinking of!
And you are SO right! We watched from Canada back in 2006...we got there early, like around 7:30 and just sat down and held out spot. It was great!

I'm so sorry you got treated like that at MK! I'm super lazy so I would have been sitting the entire time anyway, but if people try to get indignant with me, I just block them out. I saved my spot for 45-60 minutes and if you don't like the spot you got stuck with because you showed up 10 minutes before, then YOU move and "go to the back"

Via Napoli is so good, you are going to love it when you go there! Hopefully there won't be any annoying, complain-y people there though!

Ugh...I'm starting to get worried about the weather now for our May trip, now that it's so close...and I'm worrying about getting sick! Although, I have a cold now, so hopefully this will be it and I'll be perfectly healthy in May! If I have to deal with rain or sickness again, I'm probably going to lose my mind! I hate wearing a poncho! Mine was choking me too, I think I ripped mine a little, and where exactly are you supposed to put your Minnie ears wearing one of those stupid things?

So exited to try it! And I was looking at pictures today of La Hacienda and it looks beautiful inside! We need to try that one too!

For May, I would say bring your ponchos to be safe but don't stress about it or you'll MAKE yourself sick again! I predict BEAUTIFUL weather for you guys! Although I totally agree about the Minnie ears!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I forgot about your similar experience! Thanks for making me feel better.

 

[Nermel9]

Great update! Your F&W choices for the evening looked so good! Especially the cheese. I am a cheese lover, so that is definitely on my list to try!

I'm so glad you enjoyed Via Napoli. I'd love to eat there sometime soon. That stinks about the table next to you, though. I hate when people have to be so loud in a restaurant! It's like they're trying to make a scene.

I can't believe the trip is almost over!

Thanks! I love the F&W festival, I love all the fun things you can try!

Via Napoli is great, I wish we could fit it in on our May trip, but there's just no time!

I know, I can't believe it's almost over! But it is from October, it's probably time to wrap this thing up!

I just wanted to say a BIG thank you! for you're awesome TR

I leave for my FIRST Disney vacation in 18 week and your TR has given me some great ideas of things to do and places to eat

Although I do have to complain that you have now got me hooked on the idea of collecting vinylmation! My purse will not thank you for that I REALLY want a Donald Duck one, he is my favourite

You're TR was really easy to read too, just the right mix of words and pictures, I read it all in one night!

Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you, that's so nice!

I hope you have a great first trip to Disney! Haha, sorry about the Vinylmations, they can get a bit expensive if you go crazy with them!

Ah- Men! They never listen when we are right do they! LOL

I love fondue! That looked yummy!!!! Makes me want some now! HAHA

Never yet been to Via Napoli, but your food looked so good!!!

I'm the SAME WAY about Tiramisu! Almost everytime I see it on a menu, I get!

Makes me sad your TR is almost over, but soon you'll be writing your May TR!!!!!!!!

I would love some fondue right now. I've always wanted to make some but I'm sure it wouldn't be as good as Disney fondue!

Via Napoli is great, I highly recommend it! If anything, go for the tiramisu!

I think Off Kilter is the band you're thinking of!
And you are SO right! We watched from Canada back in 2006...we got there early, like around 7:30 and just sat down and held out spot. It was great!

I'm so sorry you got treated like that at MK! I'm super lazy so I would have been sitting the entire time anyway, but if people try to get indignant with me, I just block them out. I saved my spot for 45-60 minutes and if you don't like the spot you got stuck with because you showed up 10 minutes before, then YOU move and "go to the back"

So exited to try it! And I was looking at pictures today of La Hacienda and it looks beautiful inside! We need to try that one too!

For May, I would say bring your ponchos to be safe but don't stress about it or you'll MAKE yourself sick again! I predict BEAUTIFUL weather for you guys! Although I totally agree about the Minnie ears!

I want to try La Hacienda, but the menu just doesn't look that good to me! I'm not very adventurous when it comes to Mexican food, I like "American" Mexican...tacos, quesadillas, that kind of thing, when it gets too authentic, I get nervous!

Well, I'm sick now (which is why I'm on the DIS in the middle of the day!) so I'll be good for the trip in terms of illness, at least it's getting out of my system now so I'll be healthy and ready to go in 4 weeks! If it rains, it rains, nothing I can do about that! I just hope it doesn't!

I forgot about your similar experience! Thanks for making me feel better.

No problem, it's upsetting when those kinds of things happen in Disney!

 

[marDgreen88]

HAHAHAH! Your obsession with the word 'hovels' is cracking me up! Are you saying it like it would rhyme with 'shovels' or like... the Spanish pronunciation? (Clearly I'm over-thinking this).

Hahah no, you should leave your weirdness (although I wouldn't exactly call it weirdness, just fun!) IN your TR! I think it makes it unique! (And I mean, you've read mine... I'm a nut.)

"Except... eventually I ran out of bread."

Via Napoli is so gorgeous, isn't it? And I totally agree! It's classy without having a snobby atmosphere.

AHHH TIRAMISU!!!! I swear, that stuff is delicious. AND I TOTALLY AGREE! It's kind of a rarity... in fact, I've only ever had it at Disney, at Tony's! YUUUUM. When I went to Via Napoli before we weren't on the dining plan (I never am when I go with friends) so we didn't get dessert but I'm going this summer and I've already planned to get it and I can't wait because YUM! (Sorry for that speech over there, goodness.)

Ugh, those people would have bugged me too. I mean seriously? How obvious. And it's not like the restaurant can call them out on it either because unfortunately (only unfortunately in these types of situations) the customer is always right.

OH ILLUMINATIONS. I love that you stalled the leaving process, too funny!

 

[BennyFedora]

So did Brandon like the Hövels?

I've never heard of it, but as Joyce has probably mentioned, we're beer nerds, so we're up for trying anything. Our friends that we're going on our October trip with brew their own beer (and are awesome at it), so they're like PhD beer nerds!

I'm sure we'll be spending plenty of time at Germany's beer kiosk, so I just thought I'd get an opinion

 

[Nermel9]

HAHAHAH! Your obsession with the word 'hovels' is cracking me up! Are you saying it like it would rhyme with 'shovels' or like... the Spanish pronunciation? (Clearly I'm over-thinking this).

Hahah no, you should leave your weirdness (although I wouldn't exactly call it weirdness, just fun!) IN your TR! I think it makes it unique! (And I mean, you've read mine... I'm a nut.)

"Except... eventually I ran out of bread."

Via Napoli is so gorgeous, isn't it? And I totally agree! It's classy without having a snobby atmosphere.

AHHH TIRAMISU!!!! I swear, that stuff is delicious. AND I TOTALLY AGREE! It's kind of a rarity... in fact, I've only ever had it at Disney, at Tony's! YUUUUM. When I went to Via Napoli before we weren't on the dining plan (I never am when I go with friends) so we didn't get dessert but I'm going this summer and I've already planned to get it and I can't wait because YUM! (Sorry for that speech over there, goodness.)

Ugh, those people would have bugged me too. I mean seriously? How obvious. And it's not like the restaurant can call them out on it either because unfortunately (only unfortunately in these types of situations) the customer is always right.

OH ILLUMINATIONS. I love that you stalled the leaving process, too funny!

Haha, I'm glad you think it's funny, because most people would find it annoying! Luckily I'm married to someone who also thinks it's funny, otherwise, there would be problems! Yep, it's pronounced Hovel, like shovel! I can't even think of how it would sound in Spanish!

Oh, if I went all out with my weirdness in my TR's, I doubt anyone would read them, sometimes I wonder how I even have any friends and got married! You know, I'm not even sure weirdness is the right word, maybe dorkiness!

Via Napoli is beautiful, I love that it's classy and elegant, but not snooty! And the tiramisu was amazing!! I had it at Tony's too, it was really good! I get it anywhere I see it on the menu, seriously, it's fantastic! I'm so annoyed that it's this weird ice cream thing in a cup now at Mama Melrose's...they used to have this awesome REAL tiramisu, but they changed it to this ice cream thing with espresso poured over it in a cup and it's just not the same!!!

Yeah, I don't really that whole "customer is always right" nonsense, but I guess if you can take advantage of that anywhere, it's Disney! You pretty much know if you complain, you will get something out of it!

Illuminations!!! Ahhhh, I love it so much! I can't wait to see it in 26 days!!!

So did Brandon like the Hövels?

I've never heard of it, but as Joyce has probably mentioned, we're beer nerds, so we're up for trying anything. Our friends that we're going on our October trip with brew their own beer (and are awesome at it), so they're like PhD beer nerds!

I'm sure we'll be spending plenty of time at Germany's beer kiosk, so I just thought I'd get an opinion

He did like the Hovels, he didn't think he would, but he did! We have this huge liquor store that opened a few months ago where we live, and it has hundreds of types of beer, and he actually asked if they carried Hovels. (They didn't!)

Brandon is kind of a beer nerd too, he likes trying all sorts of beer. You guys are going to love the Food and Wine festival, it almost seems like there is more beer there than wine! There is that German beer booth, then there is the Craft beer booth, there is also Hops and Barley, which has all different kinds of Sam Adams (which has my favorite beer ever, Cherry Wheat! ), and most of the countries have at least one beer you can try!

 

[Nermel9]

Departure Day ​

Saturday, October 8

I was going to try to break this up into at least 2 updates, but why prolong it? I only have 24 pictures from this day, and with my next trip only 23 DAYS away, it's about time to wrap this baby up. It's always so sad to end a trip report, once it's over, your trip is really over. Maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but it's depressing.

So Saturday was our last official day in Disney World. We had a later flight home, I think it was at 6:30 PM so the plan was sleep in a little, go to Epcot for a few hours and then go to the airport. Unfortunately, we didn't get to sleep in because we were woken up by kids running and screaming through the hall of the Wilderness Lodge at 8 am. I understand that it's Disney World, and kids are excited and everything, but maybe parents could at least TRY to tell their kids to keep it down that early in the morning? And it's not like they were just running on their way to the elevator either...they were running and screaming back and forth, up and down the hall, over and over...Ughhhh!!!

Since we were both awake, we decided to just get up, shower, pack, and check out. While Brandon was showering, I went out the balcony one last time, like I had been doing all week. Remember all the beautiful pictures I took of the WL in the morning with the blue skies and the sun shining? Well, here's what I was greeted with this morning:

RAIN! And it wasn't just raining, it was pouring! Brandon was not happy when he saw that, he said he didn't even want to go to Epcot, but what else were we supposed to do? There was no way I was spending the day at the airport, and anyway, we had one last lunch ADR to go to.

"Just try to make the best of it, we're still in Disney World, it's just some rain."

(Me, trying to be all Miss Positivity. )

We got everything together, and headed downstairs to check out of my beloved Wilderness Lodge. I couldn't even hang out for a few minutes and look at everything one last time, because so many people were coming in from the rain with their luggage and excitement on their faces, knowing their vacation was just about to begin, when mine was ending. It was too much, I had to just get out of there and get in the car.

Once the car was packed up, we drove over to Epcot! Even though it was pouring, Epcot can always lift my spirits. We put on our ponchos and caught a tram over to Future World, where we ran to the Land to grab some Soarin' FP's! Of course I had to go on Soarin' one last time! We tucked our FP's away for later and headed over to...

Canada! Yes, we were having our last Disney lunch at Le Cellier! I don't know if anyone was keeping track or not, but that's 3 times in one trip that we went there. I thought it might be a little much, but it turns out, it wasn't! We love that place so much, we could probably eat there every day of a trip!

We got there early, before it even opened, so we hung out outside in the rain before they let us in:

When they did let us in, we had to wait around for a while before we all got seated, and there was a huge crowd of people there! And there were so many people coming in, asking if they had any tables available, which of course, they didn't. I felt so bad for them all, I think a lot of them just wanted to get out of the rain.

When Le Cellier officially opens, the waitstaff comes out to the waiting area and sings "O Canada!" It's so cool! I know I have read about it on the DIS, but until it happened in front of me, I forgot about it! Brandon actually sang along with them, he knows all the words because he's watched hockey all of his life.

I won't go into details about Le Cellier, since I did 2 other updates about it in this TR already, but we got all of our favorites, and they were all amazing as always!

Cheddar Cheese soup!

Pretzel Bread!

Chocolate Moose!

Yum, I cannot wait to eat there again...in 23 DAYS!

Once we finished eating, we went over to Japan for a little while and watched Pick a Pearl

and just wandered around Misukoshi. I went outside and watched the rain for a while and noticed how empty the World Showcase looked.

I love low crowds in Disney World, but just knowing it was because of the rain was upsetting. I was trying not to let it get to me, but I was slowly starting to get annoyed with it. And Brandon's patience was pretty much gone at that point. We were talking about what to do, and he said he was done with walking through the rain. There was no way I was leaving Epcot yet, especially before we could use our Soarin FP's so we walked quickly back to Future World and decided to visit Figment!

It was nice getting out of the rain for a little while and going on a journey through our imaaaaaginations, but once it was over, I was dreading going back outside. My shoes were wet, my socks were wet, and it was cold.

Luckily, it was time to use our Soarin FP's so we ran over to the Land and went on my favorite Epcot ride one last time. The line went quickly and we soared over California, and somehow I made it through the entire ride without bursting into tears.

When we went back outside into the rain, I pretty much lost it. I was so tired of being wet and my feet were killing me from 10 days of walking and I was exhausted. So I told Brandon we should just go to the airport. Even though he didn't want to be at Epcot at all, he asked if I was sure, and I said yes. I think he thought if we left too early I might have a panic attack or something on the way to the airport, so he had to be certain I was ready to leave!

On the way out, I had to stop in MouseGear one last time, and I think I bought a few little things there. What I REALLY wanted to buy was this:

but I talked myself out of buying a $200 souvenir on the last day of our trip. (Kind of regret it now, I still love that purse!)

And that's it. That is the last thing I did on Disney property for our October trip. Usually when I'm leaving a Disney park for the last time on a trip, I will stay at the park exit for a few minutes, have a little breakdown either in my mind, or outwardly crying, and say goodbye. I couldn't even do that this time because it was raining so hard, we just had to get out of there and get in the car and go.

We were pretty silent as we drove to the airport, except to complain about how terrible the weather was, but mostly, I just sat and thought about our trip. And wondered when we would be back.

It took no time to get to the airport

and soon we were dropping off our rental car and going inside to find the Jet Blue counter. We always use Southwest, but this time, we flew down on SW and were going home on Jet Blue and since we only used Jet Blue once before, we didn't remember where it was. We found it, checked our luggage, and then found bathrooms and change out of our wet clothes. We were both absolutely soaked and couldn't sit in those clothes for hours before our flight.

We had some time to kill before we wanted to go to our gate so we ate at Chick Fil A, and I started nagging Brandon about maybe coming back for a quick December trip...I was so relentless about it that he actually said maybe! (Which actually happened...I had no idea at that time that he would really agree to it!)

When we were finished eating, we looked around some of the shops in the airport, of course I had to go in the EarPort

but finally we just wanted to find our gate and get some chairs and rest!

I don't like the Jet Blue area of the airport, it seems really chaotic compared to where SW is, but soon I found out that was because there were a million flights that were delayed and there were people there that were waiting for hours for their flights! One flight to Boston was delayed and they couldn't even tell the people when they would be leaving because they had no idea when the plane would arrive...I guess a part was broken on the plane and first they were trying to fix it, and then they realized they couldn't fix it, so they had to find another flight to re-route and pick these poor people up...I felt so bad for them! And then our flight was delayed also! Luckily it was only and hour, but it felt like an eternity, by the time we got on the plane it was 7:30.

The flight home was smooth and seemed really fast! I still prefer Southwest, but I do like that Jet Blue has tv's, it makes the flight go so much quicker! I just turned on that tv as soon as possible and watched the baseball playoffs until we got home.

We got to CT around 10:00 and by the time we grabbed our bags and got to our car, it was pretty late, I don't think we got home until after midnight. I was already missing Disney, but I was actually happy to be home. I missed my cats. I missed my bed. And I was already thinking about the possibility of a December Disney trip!

And there you have it! The end of my wonderful October trip to Disney World! I hope everyone enjoyed reading about it as much as I enjoyed writing it! And please don't go away, I'm going to do one last update here with my final thoughts and some highlights, just to really wrap it all up! And I also want to show you exactly how many Vinylmations I ended up with once this trip was over!

Up next...Trip Wrap Up!

 

[MEK]

Departure Day ​

It's always so sad to end a trip report, once it's over, your trip is really over. Maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but it's depressing.

Agreed. Facing that myself right now!

Ugh - Rain on the last day must be the worst, but your lunch sure looked good. I didn't realize you ate there 3 times. You go girl!

Boo for a flight delay. That happens so much with night flights, especially with bad weather. Love the landing picture. Very cool!

Looking forward to your wrap up.

 

[Joyciemc]

I think I was subconsciously trying make your trip last longer, so I missed your last update before this one- I didn't want to read the end

I am SO getting cheese fondue in October. And I. Am. Not. Sharing. Did you see that, Ben? Not sharing- get your own!

I hate the end of a trip- that weird transition from being on vacation to real life. It's yucky. But in just a smidge over 3 weeks, we will both be back in WDW! Woooo-hooooo!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm sorry to see your TR come to an end too!!! I know, it really is depressing to end TR's, like the trip really is over then!

Ugh, rain on your last day stinks. That's happened to us too, we kind of see it as being a teensy bit easier to say goodbye to Disney! At least you got to have a nice lunch at Le Cellier!

 

[rdkeim]

I loved following along on your October and December trips! And you're going back in May - lucky you! We were there early December and going to Disneyland in October. Can't wait for October!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

BOOO RAIN!!!!!!

Yummy Le Cellier! I could never get tired of eating there

Last days are always hard... BUT not much longer till you go back YAY!!!!

OMG how many vinylmations did you end up with? I am guessing quite a few? lol

 

[Simba22]

Ugh that is SO depressing that you couldn't even really ENJOY your last day! Now I know why you were looking forward to December so much...and then why you were SO upset when it rained the whole time! I'm glad that you at least got in a great lunch and one more ride on Figment and Soarin'!

overall, it was a really fun trip to read about and I'm looking forward to your recap!

 

[Nermel9]

Agreed. Facing that myself right now!

Ugh - Rain on the last day must be the worst, but your lunch sure looked good. I didn't realize you ate there 3 times. You go girl!

Boo for a flight delay. That happens so much with night flights, especially with bad weather. Love the landing picture. Very cool!

Looking forward to your wrap up.

I hate ending a TR! I'm just glad I'll get to be starting a new one in a few weeks!

The rain was SOOOO bad that day, it didn't let up at all! But yes, lunch was awesome, I'm so glad we ate there on our last day, great way to end a vacation!

This was our first time taking a later flight home, and I know all about Jet Blue and their flight delays, so we weren't exactly surprised! I'm just glad we didn't have to wait long, I felt so bad for those people who were just stuck there, not knowing when they would be leaving!

I think I was subconsciously trying make your trip last longer, so I missed your last update before this one- I didn't want to read the end

I am SO getting cheese fondue in October. And I. Am. Not. Sharing. Did you see that, Ben? Not sharing- get your own!

I hate the end of a trip- that weird transition from being on vacation to real life. It's yucky. But in just a smidge over 3 weeks, we will both be back in WDW! Woooo-hooooo!

Haha, yeah, I've been trying to make this trip last longer too, especially since the last day was so miserable.

I loved that fondue, but Brandon said it was awful, so I hope you like it!

I can't wait to be there in 3 weeks, it's going to be such a great trip! I feel like I haven't been there in forever, even though I was just there in December!

I'm sorry to see your TR come to an end too!!! I know, it really is depressing to end TR's, like the trip really is over then!

Ugh, rain on your last day stinks. That's happened to us too, we kind of see it as being a teensy bit easier to say goodbye to Disney! At least you got to have a nice lunch at Le Cellier!

It's so sad to end a TR, but at least I have my May trip to look forward to and then do a TR about!

It was a bit easier to leave Disney with the rain, everything was pretty and bright and shiny, we were just ready to leave because we were so soaked! But still, I'd prefer no rain at all!