Disney done differently, (BOG dining updates pages 202 and 203)

[lovethattink]

With all the SWW trip reporting, I have fallen behind here. We have been to Landscapes of Flavor twice, also played the Highland Games twice at Epcot. But the reason I am here now, is to proclaim how awesome the Merida M&G is!!!!

 

[kaoden39]

Got some of the pictures downloaded, but not the lunch pics. Report to follow very shortly!



We ate lunch at the Crystal Palace. We had an awesome dining experience.

Yay!!

 

[kaoden39]

With all the SWW trip reporting, I have fallen behind here. We have been to Landscapes of Flavor twice, also played the Highland Games twice at Epcot. But the reason I am here now, is to proclaim how awesome the Merida M&G is!!!!

Oh I can hardly wait to hear about it!!

 

[lovethattink]

Princess Merida M&G​

Have you seen the movie Brave? We loved that movie! Today we got moving early so that we could meet Princess Merida. I read that she starts daily at 9:15am. She is located at Fairytale Garden. That's where Story time with Belle took place; then was replaced as the Rapunzel M&G. Rapunzel is now located at the princess M&G on Main St. Princess Aurora is now located outside of Guest Services until 4, then she rotates at the Princess M&G with Rapunzel.

We decided it would be best to enter the queue from behind the castle, since the end of the line is that direction. We arrived at the exact same time that another family arrived from the other direction. They stood talking to one of the cm, while we were talking to another. The cm they were talking to (Kharyi) let them inside, and they left their stroller blocking the entrance. The cm we were talking to (Natalie) told us to go inside too as she moved their stroller from blocking our entrance.

Just as we proceeded, several people who were apparently with the other family (but not physically with them when they entered) ran around the corner and entered. Kharyi pulled the rope across to block our entrance. She said, "you can't go in there, there are too many people." Dh was annoyed at the rudenesss and said that she told us to enter, pointing to Natalie who was parking the other people's stroller over at Cosmic Rays. Kharyi said it didn't matter, there were too many people.

Natalie came back and dh told her that we weren't allowed to enter even though she told us to. She went inside and quietly questioned Kharyi, who once again, very loudly and authoritavely said that there are too many people.

Natalie approached us and apologized. She said that only a certain amount of people were allowed in the area. She explained that the princess had only 9 minutes remaining. She said if time permits we might be able to enter, however if there isn't enough time, then we would be the first family when she returns.

It wasn't even a minute later, and the rope was opened for us to enter. Even a couple families after us were permitted entry too.

The coloring table from the Rapunzel M&G is still there, with pictures from the movie Brave to color. There is also a target and bow and arrow in that area, which is a huge hit!

If you have a w/c or are unable to go down steps, the entrance that everyone uses to get to Merida will also be your way to exit after meeting her. Otherwise, there are steps to the coloring area when you exit.

There are tapestries as decorations all around. There is a cart where pictures are taken. In the cart is a target and the three brothers as bears. The bears move and laugh!

Found this merchandise in one of the stores on Main St.

Anakin loved the brother/bear!! It folds inside and outside. One way it's a brother, the other way it's a bear! Very cute!!

 

[kaoden39]

How cute!! I love Merida!!

 

[lovethattink]

How cute!! I love Merida!!

Thanks! Overall it was an awesome M&G!

 

[teacherjmc]

I have been following your report for months, although I don't think I have ever posted. Thank you for sharing all of your Disney adventures with us! I am a public school teacher who deals with all kinds of kids and I enjoy reading about your different techniques for working with Anakin.

I had to say a special thank you for posting about your Merida meet and greet! My niece is only 13 months old, but she has red hair and blue eyes so my sister-in-law has decided that Merida is the BEST princess ever! I shared your picture with her as a little preview of our trip in October. Merida will be a must-do for us!

Thanks again for posting so frequently about your trips to the World. I love your updates!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I don't know what's up with CMs lately. It seems like they aren't quite as magical as they used to be.

Anakin looks like he enjoyed meeting Merida. We haven't been to see the movie yet but everybody raves about it.

 

[mommy2mrb]

cute M & G area, Anakin looks like he enjoyed meeting Merida!

 

[momabaarjo]

Great report...great M&G! So glad that your character ADR at Cp was good too!

 

[lovethattink]

I have been following your report for months, although I don't think I have ever posted. Thank you for sharing all of your Disney adventures with us! I am a public school teacher who deals with all kinds of kids and I enjoy reading about your different techniques for working with Anakin.

I had to say a special thank you for posting about your Merida meet and greet! My niece is only 13 months old, but she has red hair and blue eyes so my sister-in-law has decided that Merida is the BEST princess ever! I shared your picture with her as a little preview of our trip in October. Merida will be a must-do for us!

Thanks again for posting so frequently about your trips to the World. I love your updates!

Welcome!! I'm so glad you came out of lurkdom!

That will be sooooo sweet in October! I hope you all have a great M&G.

I don't know what's up with CMs lately. It seems like they aren't quite as magical as they used to be.

Anakin looks like he enjoyed meeting Merida. We haven't been to see the movie yet but everybody raves about it.

When you think of all the cm you encounter at Disney, the good experiences far outweight the bad. Yet it's the bad that stay in your mind. I think it's a matter that some people just lack tact.

cute M & G area, Anakin looks like he enjoyed meeting Merida!

The area is great! He had a blast!

Great report...great M&G! So glad that your character ADR at Cp was good too!

We spent 3 hours at the MK, and it was a great morning! We saw Merida, finished a round of SMK, rode the magic carpet ride, did some window shopping, and had a great character lunch at the Crystal Palace!

He went to bed just after 10 last night and woke up at noon today. I swear he looked taller. We measured him and he grew a half an inch!

 

[kaoden39]

They grow so fast at his age!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Welcome!! I'm so glad you came out of lurkdom!

That will be sooooo sweet in October! I hope you all have a great M&G.



When you think of all the cm you encounter at Disney, the good experiences far outweight the bad. Yet it's the bad that stay in your mind. I think it's a matter that some people just lack tact.




The area is great! He had a blast!



We spent 3 hours at the MK, and it was a great morning! We saw Merida, finished a round of SMK, rode the magic carpet ride, did some window shopping, and had a great character lunch at the Crystal Palace!

He went to bed just after 10 last night and woke up at noon today. I swear he looked taller. We measured him and he grew a half an inch!

he must of be worn out, so happy he is sleeping better!

on his growing, does the dr get his meds adjusted each time? my brother had a growth spurt one summer of 3 inches and they didn't adjust his epilepsy meds and had a grand mal..

 

[blessedmom4]

Oh Tink, I can't see the pics! You HAVE to go to Pro, I finally did. I MUST see Merida, please!!! I want a BRAVE shirt for Lisa, with the wording like on the movie posters...Really I want a dress that says Brave, how cool would that be? I REALLy want ot see the movie, can't wait for it to come out on DVD so we can see it...I know, I have a long wait!

How is JJ feeling? I hope you all have a fabulous fourth!!

from

​

 

[lovethattink]

They grow so fast at his age!!

he must of be worn out, so happy he is sleeping better!

on his growing, does the dr get his meds adjusted each time? my brother had a growth spurt one summer of 3 inches and they didn't adjust his epilepsy meds and had a grand mal..

Oh Tink, I can't see the pics! You HAVE to go to Pro, I finally did. I MUST see Merida, please!!! I want a BRAVE shirt for Lisa, with the wording like on the movie posters...Really I want a dress that says Brave, how cool would that be? I REALLy want ot see the movie, can't wait for it to come out on DVD so we can see it...I know, I have a long wait!

How is JJ feeling? I hope you all have a fabulous fourth!!

from

​

Happy July 4th!! You should be able to see the pics now!

 

[lovethattink]

Happy 4th of July Everyone​

picture made by aprncess just for me!​

 

[annmarieda]

Other than the little rude cm(and late to arrive extra family members the previous group) it sound like your m&g with Merida was lots of fun. I have not been able to see the pics....

 

[lovethattink]

Crystal Palace (Lunch)​

Years ago, this is where we use to eat our Christmas dinner!!! It was always a favorite place for us; until back in 2006, not even on a holiday, just a weekday, we had a very bad dining experience here. It took over an hour to get seated. The characters didn't even get around to our table once in a two hour period. They kept running out of food on the buffet. We decided it was time to give the restaurant a break. I'm so glad we decided to give the CP another go of it! We had the most magical dining experience!

I didn't realize there are two different area to check into the CP. There is an umbrella down below for people who already have ADRs to check in. There is also a place to check in or make reservations on the patio. I only knew about the patio. I stood in line a good 15 minutes until it was my turn, because all the people in front of me were making reservations. When it was my turn, it was a quick check in. I asked the cm if Anakin could wait in the airconditioning until our turn. He directed me to Sally.

Sally was a super friendly cm! She directed us inside to a row of chairs to sit. Right away a cm from Harrisburg, Pa (can't remember name) was quick to tell her that only 1 family member can wait there. The cm from PA rushed over to us to tell us that one of us will need to wait outside, that the pager will not work inside the restaurant. (No big deal we are use to this with Sea World. Only 1 person is allowed to sit with the w/c at shows.)

In the meantime, while I was waiting outside. Dh said a family of 4 sat down inside too. They had a pager and Ms. PA didn't say a word to them.

Our pager was one of the first ones to go off!! Yay, we were hungry!! I went up to the cm and she asked if my party was together. I told her they were inside waiting on a chair. We went over to them. She explained how the CP dining and characters work. (Nothing had changed in all those years.) I wish I would have gotten her name, because she was so enthusiastic. Her excitement was contageous. She had Anakin so psyched to eat there and meet Pooh and friends.

Marie was our server. She had a smile that was genuine and could melt your heart. (There was only once where I did not see a smile on her face. That was when she was balancing drinks of a large party that was seated diagonally across from us. Then she had such concentration on her face.) But before Marie could make her way to our table, Piglet did!! I mean, we had no sooner sat down, and there was Piglet!!

After Piglet left, Marie came and took our drink orders. Dh and I got coke and Anakin got white milk. I asked if we were ok to go get our food or if another character was soon to come. She told us that Tigger and Eeyore were in the other room, but Pooh would be here shortly.

We decided to wait for Pooh before we went up for food. Anakin asked for Dh's phone and put on some Star Wars music. Pooh came up and began to jam to the tune! This made Anakin silly. They posed for a picture.

And totally out of the blue, Anakin points and yells, "honey." We along with Pooh and everyone else near us looks where Anakin is pointing. He starts laughing and getting silly, then announces, "I'm just kidding!" He got ALL of us good!

At this point, Tigger ran into the room. He visited with a family nearby. We waited a few minutes but then he left. I guess this was people left from breakfast who had not seen Tigger yet. He left right after he visited with this family. So we headed to the buffet. But not before another character visited Anakin...Me! LOL.

A pretty big line for food was already established. Instead of getting salad and heading back to the table, I had visions of our last meal there and how food ran out on the buffet. So I continued on to the hot food and scooped a little bit of the things I knew I'd like, just in case it ran out when I was ready for hot food.

I got potato salad, some kind of salad with vinegrette dressing, and couscous. From the hot table I got salmon, spinach and fish casserole, corn bread casserole, mixed vegetables and ratatouille.

Everything was excellent except the mixed vegetables. The purple potatoes were raw and cold. All other veggies in it were nice and crisp, perfectly cooked. My favorite was the ratatouille! If they add this dish to Be Our Guest, that is the dish I will get. Hands down! Without question!!

It was the perfect mix of vegetables and it appeared to have the same ragout sauce that comes on the vegetable struedle at the Coral Reef Restaurant. I loved it, as did dh.

Anakin didn't want any hot food. He chose some turkey lunch meat and fruit, and butterballs. He was two when he last ate here. He remembered the butter was ball shaped!! What a memory?!

Dh skipped the salad and went straight to the hot stuff. He had salmon, ham, flank steak, broccoli, mashed potatoes, Ratatouille and rice, a chicken nugget, and some kind of mushroom thing.

He really liked the Ratatouille too! He had two slices of ham. The one was very fatty and he left that sit. The other he said was amazingly good. He usually hates ham and he enjoyed this! He tried my spinach and fish casserole but didn't like it. He said the fish was too fishy. I didn't have a single piece of fish in it until my last bite. He was right, the fish was way too fishy in it. Without the fishy fish, it tasted delicious. I mixed it with my salmon!

Just like the first time we sat down, a character was there as soon as we started eating!!

That's 3 characters down before we even got to dessert!! Oops make that 4, here comes Eeyore!!

3 minutes after Eeyore, Piglet comes back!!!

Dh went back up for salad and fruit for he and Anakin.

I went up for dessert. Banana cinnamon bread pudding, vanilla icecream, watermelon, peach and honey cheesecake, flan, and banana cream pie with chocolate drizzle. I was really hoping for lemon bars of some kind, but there were none. I took a small bite of the banana cream. It was excellent, but I'm allergic to chocolate and really shouldn't have even tried it. I passed it along to Dh and he loved it!! The peach and honey cheesecake was disgusting. I'm glad I took a small bite. I might have had to take a spit take otherwise. The flan was excellent! I've had better bread pudding, but it was good.

Anakin had chocolate/vanilla swirl icecream with sprinkles. Again we no sooner sat down and here was Pooh!

Dh had more ratatouille with rice, a chocolate chip cookie and vanilla icecream for dessert.

Piglet came back again for a 3rd time as we were waiting for the check!

Piglet likes Star Wars music too!

Tigger stopped by for a 2nd time!

We paid our bill. Eeyore was only a couple tables away, but we decided not to wait. Our bellies were full. We were happy. This was one of the best experiences we had at the Crystal Palaces. Never had the characters come around this many times!! It was very magical!!

 

[blessedmom4]

What an AWESOME Crystal Palace Update!!! I LOVE it!!! The pics are greta and the food looks Yummy! We have never eaten there, sounds fun though...of course we haven't eaten MOST places at Disney...JJ looks so happy!

And I LOVED the new Merida Pics, I love her BRAVEness...reminds my of my brave Princess...

 

[englishrose47]

I LOVE CP for supper, haven't made it there the last couple of times , but am putting it on my list for 2013!!!