Will You Chill Out if I Sprinkle You With Pixie Dust? The End p136 *New TR Link* p138

[MEK]

Forgive me... but another meal at WGPE? Isn't that like their third one? It is good... don't get me wrong. I think it is a must...just not a must multiple times.

I told you - they don't go out much at all to eat, so I guess when they found a place they liked....well.....they were about to become their best costumers.

Looks like check out went pretty smooth... except for the laundry.

Yeah - I got a little annoyed that morning because it was the second time I went to do laundry and needed to revise my plan.

How exciting that you and Denny get some vacay alone time!!! I think you certainly deserved it after all you put up with from your db and sil!

I really felt like we s till had half our vacation left. Unfortunately, it was less than that, but it felt so liberating.

 

[MHTeacher]

Ah, you left me hanging with the check out. I have no idea where you and Denny are headed for the remainder of your trip!

 

[Millie12591]

Great news about your ME stuff arriving!
Makes it feel so real when you finally get Mickey mail!!
Sorry about your friends bailing on the trip, hope the rest of the friends will be making it.

Looks like photobucket has been having some issues for some time now. I wonder what's going on?

Sounds like you and Denny have a good day planned, you'll finally be without the constant wondering if their will be drama.
Can't wait to find out what y'all are going to do.

 

[MEK]

Ah, you left me hanging with the check out. I have no idea where you and Denny are headed for the remainder of your trip!

Here's a hint....... I am actually going to post that update tonight (I hope), so you can read all about it!

Great news about your ME stuff arriving!

Makes it feel so real when you finally get Mickey mail!!

There's really no better mail then Mickey Mail!!!!!

Sorry about your friends bailing on the trip, hope the rest of the friends will be making it.

I'm not sure if they have totally bailed. They just didn't want to book the cruise yet. That's fine, but it will get weird when it comes time for me to book our DVC stay after the cruise and I don't know whether or not they are planning to go. I just don't want to push it, but then again, I don't want to NOT push it and have to scramble to rebook the DVC accommodations.

Looks like photobucket has been having some issues for some time now. I wonder what's going on?

I often hear people complain about photobucket and sometimes it does have it glitches, but this is the first time I had the app literally not work at all. Odd.

Sounds like you and Denny have a good day planned, you'll finally be without the constant wondering if their will be drama.
Can't wait to find out what y'all are going to do.

I really felt a big rush of freedom when we pulled away from the treehouse villas and I plan to post on our next destination tonight.

 

[MEK]

Where to Now?

In my last update we had just packed up and were pulling away from the Treehouse Villas. Sniff Sniff. Ok, not really, because Denny and I still had the adult portion of our trip remaining. Even though we technically had only 4 nights left, it still felt like an eternity.

So what exactly did we have in store with our new found freedom? Well, one of you smart DISers (Nermel) remembered that we had made plans to leave the Disney bubble today and head to Daytona Beach.

Background story – Denny’s college roommate, K, and his wife, T, live in Daytona. We try to get in touch with them every few trips. If it’s a short trip we don’t get a chance to see them, but on our longer trips, we always try.

I had actually invited them to come over and spend the night with us at the Board Walk Villas. We had a reservation there for our 4 remaining nights. Granted it, it was a studio, but I figured we could make due for one night.
Unfortunately, it happened to be Father’s Day weekend and K&T had plans with K’s dad on Sunday, so they opted out of driving to WDW. So instead, we decided to drop the Friday night off our BWV reservation and spend the night with them in Daytona.

We were planning on arriving a little later in the afternoon, so we still had a couple hours to kill before departing. In fact, when I put their address in the GPS, the directions showed their house to be just a little over an hour away. Right about that time T texted me to say she would be home from work by 4:30pm. I figured we should probably wait until then to show up on their doorstep.

So that leaves the original question…… Where to Now?

I can’t believe we were actually pulling out of the parking lot and I still had all these ideas rolling around in my head, but no clear vision. What was happening to my uber planning skills? I literally felt like knocking myself in the head a couple times (ever so gently) to break the cob webs loose and get my brain to plan something.

Here were the options…..

1. Visit DTD and east at WPE. Nope – already said good bye to the rest of my family. Not going to happen.

2. Visit Celebration, FL. If you read my last TR you might remember that we did a drive by through Celebration on our way back to the airport in December. It was crowded, there were no parking spaces, and we never got out of the car. I wanted to go back. Taking pictures and finding some cute place for lunch sounded like fun. But we still had 2 QS entitlements to use and several snack credits. I knew I would probably be ready to eat 5 minutes after parking the car in Celebration, so the timing just seemed off.

3. Have the lunch buffet at the Pepper Market and use our DVC pool hopping privileges to visit the pool for a couple hours. Possibly, but I didn’t feel like the hassle of changing in and out of a bathing suit.

4. Visit the World Showcase and pick up a QS meal. I was actually quite interested in trying the QS restaurant in Japan. The sushi combos caught my eye. I love sushi. Denny – not so much.

After I outlined these 4 possible options, it came to me. Why not just park over at the Beach Club and walk into the World Showcase through Christine’s private entrance? Sure – that would work. After all, one of the luxuries of having an AP is that you can spend two hours in a park and not have to feel like you are wasting a whole day of a park pass.

Plus, if you have read my other TRs you know that I love using the Beaches N Cream as an excuse for parking at the Beach Club. For someone who has allegedly visited Beaches N Cream as many times as I have, I sure wish I really knew what the ice cream tasted like.

I never really think of the Beaches N Cream line as a lie, because if I could have gone to Beaches N Cream that day, I would have. And who knows, in the back of my mind I thought maybe we really could stop and get some ice cream on the way out.

I love the flower arrangements in the Beach Club. They are always pretty much the same, but ever so festive.

I filled up my mug in the gift shop and out we went.

The Beach Club was pretty quiet at this time of day.

It really looked like we had the whole place to ourselves.

Maybe because we were getting ready to GO to the beach, but I think I went a little overboard on the pictures.

Next stop....Christine's private entrance (this is not her entrance, but that picture didn't turn out because I was walking too fast out of excitement)

I think we stopped at Guest Services here because someone's AP was not working. We each had ours replaced at some point during the trip.

One inside we noticed this traffic jam on the bridge

What the....?

I saw a CM at the front of the pack and then I saw the whole pack move forward. What was this? Rope Drop at the World Showcase?

Look at this.....the Cast Members in France were welcoming everyone. Aren't they cute? That is all of them except for the girl with the "too tight" blue jeans in 90 degree weather that jumped in my picture.

There....That's better.....

Looks like the slushie stand was gearing up for another day

Obviously I made a pit stop here and, because I realized that pictures of me were severely lacking in this trip report, I present.....Me in the Mirror

We walked by Morocco, where I took surprisingly few pictures

I stopped to peruse the menu. It looked good. Hmmmm.....It was open. Hmmmmm. The wheels were turning.

Continued in Next Post........

 

[MEK]

Continued from previous post.......

I always enjoy looking at the clothes in Morocco.

Hey Pat and Cynthia - if I had known we were going to get matching MNSSHP costumes I would have bought these.....

I love this place (the world showcase that is)

Japan was so empty

We headed inside to check out the menu

The sushi combo meal looked good to me. The restaurant wasn't opened yet because it wasn't quite 11:30. Denny seemed ambivalent.

It was really cute inside

Since Denny wasn't feeling it and the restaurant wasn't quite opened yet, I suggested we just head back to Morocco for some sliders.

Bye Japan. You really do look like a haven of solitude

Back in Morocco, we both ordered the Mediterranean sliders

3 pita pockets stuffed with lamb, chicken, and falafel topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and tahini sauce served with hummus, lentils, and tabouleh

O.....M.....G...... This was Heaven on a plate! So, so, so good!

Now keep this is mind when you evaluate my praise. I am NOT a big fan of lamb and I never choose to eat it voluntarily. This lamb was amazing. It was my favorite slider stuffing. And I love lentils and hummus, so I was in heaven. This was one of my favorite meals of the trip.

Dessert was baklava. On the dining plan we did not have a choice. This is what they gave us and it was "eh"

Since it was still fairly early (11:30), we were one of only two couples in the restaurant.

It was so nice and relaxing

Just as an FYI - there were some amazing looking pastries in this cart. Who knew?

After lunch I was stuffed. But now it was time to spend those last few snack credits. I believe we had three left.

On the way

Our next stop was Karamel Kuche and I know this is hard to believe, but I did not take pictures in there. We picked out a cookie, a chocolate covered strawberry, and some caramel/nut candy. We packed them up to go.

Passing by Italy on the way back.....

WE decided to go in

Continued In Next Post........

 

[MEK]

Continued from previous post.......

I love wine

and wine glass charms

WE past by Morocco on our way back

Well, look who we passed back in France

Does Marie's hand gesture say "not now, please"?

I think this might be the only France fountain picture that I took

We looked around in France

Don't think I didn't consider a little tasting

Instead, we decided to see the movie in France. Not gonna lie. I love this film and I think I see it almost every trip.

Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

I decided to take some pictures with my phone


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

If you've never seen this movie, make sure you check it out on your next trip. Nice comfy chairs and narration with a soothing French accent. What's not to like?

After the movie we decided to go, although at the time it felt like we were still ahead of schedule.

I didn't take any pictures on the way out of the park.

I think it was around 1:30 when we got in the car. I wasn't quite ready to leave the Disney bubble, so I suggested to Denny that we make one more stop to visit a place I have been dying to see.

Any guesses?

Up Next..... A surprise stop and traffic outside of the bubble.

Oh....and an Analysis of the Quick Service Dining Plan

 

[MEK]

Disney QS Dining Plan Final Analysis

Now that we have used 5 days worth of QS credits and snack entitlements, I thought it would be a good time to post my final QS Dining Plan Analysis. Remember that I am included that amount I would have paid for the food without the dining plan compared to the daily total and 5 day dining plan total.

Day 1
Artist’s Palette
Veggie Flat bread $7.99
Muffin $2.59
Drink $2.59
Total $14.11

Columbia Harbor House
Lobster Roll $9.99
Apple Crisp $3.59
Drink $2.89
Total $17.62

Snack
Auntie Gravity
Frozen Cappucino $4.48

Mug $15.50

TOTAL $51.74

Day 2

Pecos Bill
1/3 lb cheeseburger $8.69
Carrot Cake $3.59
Beverage $2.89
Total $16.85

Snack
Mainstreet Bakery
Cinnamon Bun $4.46
DAY TOTAL $21.31
TOTAL TO DATE $73.05 $69.98


Day 3

Pizzafari
Hot Italian Sandwich $8.99
Strawberry Parfait $3.59
Drink $2.89
Total $16.55

Wolfgang Puck Express
Salmon Platter $18.00
Vanilla Cheesecake $5.00
Drink $2.69
Total $27.49

DAY TOTAL $44.04
TOTAL TO DATE $117.09 $104.97


Day 4

Backlot Express
Grilled Turkey & Cheese $8.99
Cheesecake $3.59
Beverage $2.79
Total $16.44


The Pepper Market
Fish Tacos $12.99
Dessert $3.99
Beverage (Water) $2.50
Total $20.84

DAY TOTAL $37.28
TOTAL TO DATE $154.37 $139.96


Day 5

Sunshine Seasons
Tuna Noodle Salad $9.99
Strawberry Shortcake $3.79
Beverage $2.79
Total $17.73

Artists Palette
Roast beef & blue $9.99
Browne $3.29
Beverage $2.59
Total $15.07

DAY TOTAL $32.80
TOTAL TO DATE $187.17 $174.95


Day 6

Med Sliders Combo $14.99
Baklava $2.50
Beverage $2.49
Total $21.38

Snacks
3 items from
Karamel Kuche $4.22 x 3 = $12.66

DAY TOTAL $34.04
TOTAL TO DATE $221.21
TOTAL SAVINGS $46.26

Bottom Line.........I saved $46.26 using the 5 day Quick Service Dining Plan.

Would I have bought the exact same things if I didn't have the dining plan? Probably not. But I certainly don't regret any of my entree or snack choices and I am actually quite surprised that I saved $46.26 using the dining plan. I really thought it was going to be a break even deal. It clearly was not.

 

[eandesmom]

continued from previous post.......

I always enjoy looking at the clothes in Morocco.

Hey Pat and Cynthia - if I had known we were going to get matching MNSSHP costumes I would have bought these.....

LOL! I remember modeling that the skirt on that 1st orange number on our last trip! I suppose that could have been an option, although I admit I'm having a lot of fun with our current plan!

Those wine charms might need to come home with me next month. Lunch looks yummy!!!!!!! We've always had great meals there. Cool that you did better than break even. I tend to think the QS is even more overpriced than the regular plan so that's a great analysis and backs up Disney's claims of 20%.

 

[jthomas1]

I'll take some pixie dust please
and cool pics.. thanks

 

[MEK]

LOL! I remember modeling that the skirt on that 1st orange number on our last trip! I suppose that could have been an option, although I admit I'm having a lot of fun with our current plan!

An expensive option, plus those garments are so tiny I would need extensive alterations.

Those wine charms might need to come home with me next month. Lunch looks yummy!!!!!!! We've always had great meals there. Cool that you did better than break even. I tend to think the QS is even more overpriced than the regular plan so that's a great analysis and backs up Disney's claims of 20%.

I loved that lunch. It was really so good. I think that might be my new "go to" place for QS in Epcot.

Surprisingly, I liked the QS plan more than I had anticipated. I really enjoyed WPE, the Pepper Market, and Morocco. What I really liked the best was that is saved time over doing a sit down meal every night. It really worked out well for that portion of the trip.

 

[rndmr2]

Getting myself caught up on all the TR's I follow, Haven't had much time for the DIS in the past week or so due to working a lot and then having a lot of documentation to do. I am a home care RN and I do on call 5p to 8a most days and usually have 2-3 scheduled people to see then sometimes I have to go out in the middle of the night and this has been a BUSY week.

Great World Showcase pics on this last update, it's great to see it not too crowded, I guess since it had only just opened.

DH and I did the QS plan back in 2010 and it was good, we ended up with some leftover meals because we did some OOP TS meals too (well it was that $500 Gift card promotion they did that time) Looking at the menus I think I would like the TS Morocco but I'm not too sure about the QS one.

 

[dawnbu40]

Great update

I love all the pictures from the Beach Club! That is my favorite resort area. It is just so pretty and peaceful!

It seems strange to see WS so empty but what a treat for you!

I've been skeptical of the QS plan so I'm glad to hear it worked out for you!

 

[natebenma]

I loved everything about your update!

A super surprise Beach Club appearance?!? Love it!!!

Your beach pictures are beautiful. Don't blame you one bit!

I have never seen rope drop at WS. Love the pictures you got in the empty countries. There's one near the end of your report of the turret in Morocco that is just breathtaking!

It has been YEARS since I have seen the movie in France, but I love it and the music was playing in my head as I was looking at your pictures. Actually, I may have seen it solo in 2008.

Great use of snack credits!!!

And finally, Morocco, how I love your food! That is my favorite CS in the WS- we often do take out there and bring out meal back to the Beach Club. I haven't tried the sliders, but when I was looking at the menu you posted, even before knowing what you ordered and reviewed favorably, I thought I need to try that!

 

[MEK]

I'll take some pixie dust please
and cool pics.. thanks

jthomas1 Thanks for joining in. Phew - cause I almost missed your post at the end of the page and that would have been bad. Thanks for the compliment on the pictures!

Getting myself caught up on all the TR's I follow, Haven't had much time for the DIS in the past week or so due to working a lot and then having a lot of documentation to do. I am a home care RN and I do on call 5p to 8a most days and usually have 2-3 scheduled people to see then sometimes I have to go out in the middle of the night and this has been a BUSY week.

That's a long shift. Yikes! It must be tough to have to go out in the middle of the night like that. AT least there's no traffic, but I hope you don't have to go into any bad neighborhoods.

Great World Showcase pics on this last update, it's great to see it not too crowded, I guess since it had only just opened.

I thought it was going to be packed, but everyone spread out and it seemed very empty, which was so nice. I really tried to use my camera a little more today and I was happy to final get into the world showcase.

DH and I did the QS plan back in 2010 and it was good, we ended up with some leftover meals because we did some OOP TS meals too (well it was that $500 Gift card promotion they did that time) Looking at the menus I think I would like the TS Morocco but I'm not too sure about the QS one.

I remember that. What a great promotion. I can see how it would be easy to have a few meals left over. We could have, but I was determined NOT to let it go to waste because I was concerned that we had overpaid for the QSDP.

The QS in Morocco was really good. I had no idea. I was a bit of a skeptic, but I will definitely go back. Now I want to try the TS restaurant.

Great update

Thanks!!!

I love all the pictures from the Beach Club! That is my favorite resort area. It is just so pretty and peaceful!

Did you notice that I refrained from taking pictures of SAB? I usually do, but I didn't want to be depressed that I couldn't swim there. (....like you will be in just a few short days!)

It seems strange to see WS so empty but what a treat for you!

Definitely a treat. I don't think the crowds started to pick up until right before we stopped in for the movie. It was really nice and it wasn't blazing hot, so that made it perfect.

I've been skeptical of the QS plan so I'm glad to hear it worked out for you!

I was a skeptic, too and I only did it because my SIL wanted. But it really worked out perfect for this portion of the trip. And if I was to go on another short trip where I wanted to maximize my time outside of restaurants, I would do it again. There are still some more QS places that I want to try. I was really determined to see where I could maximize the value.

I loved everything about your update!

Thank you!

A super surprise Beach Club appearance?!? Love it!!!

I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. Any excuse to visit the BC is a good one for me!

Your beach pictures are beautiful. Don't blame you one bit!

Thanks. I am really pleased with how they turned out.

I have never seen rope drop at WS. Love the pictures you got in the empty countries. There's one near the end of your report of the turret in Morocco that is just breathtaking!

I didn't even KNOW they had rope drop. Do they always do that? I did like being greeted by the CMs in France. That was pretty cool.

It has been YEARS since I have seen the movie in France, but I love it and the music was playing in my head as I was looking at your pictures. Actually, I may have seen it solo in 2008.

Funny - because as soon as I started posting those pictures the music started playing in my head, too. The movie really makes me want to visit France. I am really a sucker for good photography, particularly in the form of a circle vision film. It just sucks me in.

Great use of snack credits!!!

I purposely saved a few for that spot. How could I not? Really, I didn't need all the snacks the plan provided, but you know I had to use them.

And finally, Morocco, how I love your food! That is my favorite CS in the WS- we often do take out there and bring out meal back to the Beach Club. I haven't tried the sliders, but when I was looking at the menu you posted, even before knowing what you ordered and reviewed favorably, I thought I need to try that!

The sliders really were amazing and the fact that the lamb was so good really blows me away. I actually couldn't tell which was which, but Denny figured it out. And even though that picture does not look like a lot of food, it was. I was STUFFED!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I this update!! Full to the brim of so many places I love. Beach Club. Sigh. I cannot wait to be there in 25 days (but who's counting ). And World Showcase. So beautiful and your pictures are amazing. I love the way some of them are edited - totally enhances the image.

By the way, am at this picture:

There....That's better.....

The 2nd guy from the left was SUCH a charmer when I was there in May. I mean over the top. And I loved every minute of it. And went back for more.

 

[DisMomAmy]

All caught up again...

Overall I think your family trip was a good one! There are always a few bumps when you get a lot of people together.

Can't wait to see how you spend your last few days!!

 

[MEK]

I this update!! Full to the brim of so many places I love. Beach Club. Sigh. I cannot wait to be there in 25 days (but who's counting ). And World Showcase. So beautiful and your pictures are amazing. I love the way some of them are edited - totally enhances the image.

I think of you first whenever I post anything about the Beach Club! I have to admit, there is something very magical about entering Disney property through the lobby of the BC to the international gateway.

I did double edit a bunch of those pictures, so thanks for noticing!

By the way, am at this picture:

The 2nd guy from the left was SUCH a charmer when I was there in May. I mean over the top. And I loved every minute of it. And went back for more.

I HAVE seen that guy before and he IS a flirt! I love cute, young, flirty guys. They really can bring a smile to my face (and then I remember that they are probably my son's age )

All caught up again...

Overall I think your family trip was a good one! There are always a few bumps when you get a lot of people together.

I totally agree. The goal was for them all to get introduced to Disney World and see it as a affordable and enjoyable vacation option. As it turns out, they really loved it and they are definitely planning a return in June.

Can't wait to see how you spend your last few days!!

Our last few days together were very different from the beginning of her trip. It was very relaxing!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

You really should stop in to B&C one of the times that you tell the parking lot that you will! It's a really cute place!

Glad to hear you had a good lunch at Tangeriene Cafe! We had an awful lunch there a while back, and haven't gone back since. But your meal looks much better than ours!

 

[amazingact21]

The Beach Club and WS look so empty and peaceful in your pictures! I think you made a good choice by killing a few hours in Epcot while you waited to go to Daytona.

And I had to laugh at your Beaches and Cream parking comment, because whenever I go to BC for that restaurant, I always feel guilty explaining to the gate guard that that's why I'm there. I feel like he/she is looking at me going, "Yeah, right, you and about 100 other guests."
As a side note...the ice cream there really is good. Some of the best sundaes on property.


I've never thought about eating a QS lunch at Morocco before, but your photo did make the food look good. And I'm glad it was a hit for you, even after you thought you wanted sushi.


Mmm, Karamel Kuche...a great place to use up those last snack credits.


I have a guess or two about where you were going, but I'll wait and see....