The Solo Trip Which Led to a Vinylmation Addiction!** COMPLETE 4/8

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wow, you really have a great eye for photos.

The Illuminations globe does indeed come out during the day. I actually got to see it once. The bridge is raised, I "think" between China and Germany, and out it comes into the lagoon from backstage. I found a clip on youtube. It happens around 3pm I believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-MnCmegv0Y

 

[rachel09985]

that was the first Disney obsession for her now its wreck it ralph and I'm definately not complaining i think i'm developing an obsession for it myself

I love wreck it ralph as well!! I just watched it last night

I love to spend time in The Seas pavilion - checking out the fish after the Nemo ride

The Eel creeps me out but for some reason I also go and stare at him for ages! .... Yes I am weird!

Haha. Eels are gross. That pavilion is nice!

The entire design process for Test Track was cool to experience once, but I'm not dying to do it again. It was actually pretty long. Plus, it didn't help that I was exhausted from waiting for so long and when we moved to get in line for the actual ride, we were the last ones because we were in the last row all the way at the end. It made it seem much longer. I'm sure if people actually knew more about cars or liked cars they would enjoy this aspect of the ride. I love the actual ride itself.

Yum to Le Cellier! I commend you for being able to eat alone. I always got nervous when I had to do that in college. It must've been especially odd with the pair next to you in a somewhat empty restaurant, but I'd totally do what you did and update my trip journal! I'd take tons of pictures of my food too, haha, and post it on Instagram!

It was a little weird at first. I got over it quickly though. I just didn't want people to feel bad for me because I was eating at a restaurant by myself.

I am curious to do the actual design thing but not if I have to wait longer. I don't think the design process will actually enhance anything for me. I wish the ride actually changed from your design. I hate how disney rides are all going interactive with that RFID card. Why does everything need to utilize RFID now?

I can't decide if I like the new or old Test Track better. The kids love it, though. Have I missed a vinylmation yet ?? Can't wait to see more photos !!

I can't decide either! I think I like the story better in the first one but I like the actual ride better in the new one? Nope, no vinylmations yet! Soon though!

New Test Track is ok, but I do miss the old one! I just love the ride, so I'll keep going on it, but the old one was just so cheezy, that preshow was the best! Oh well! At least the actual ride part is the same!

Nemo is adorable, but that song "Big Blue World" makes me so sad, and I don't know why! I wish it was a little more upbeat!

Yeah I love the ride too! I will miss that pre show. I still have the old TT song so I will listen to that when I get song. Oh my gosh I love that song! It is soo pretty! It is sad though.

New Test Track looks so cool! Can't wait to ride!

Oh man, it's been so long since I've been to the Seas! Not since my first trip! It's such a cute pavilion... I will have to visit it again next time! Turtle Talk is amazing, agreed! Your pictures are so great!

What you haven't gone since your first trip?? Lol! Geez. When was your first trip?? Ive been picturing you to have gone to disney world your entire life!

 

[rachel09985]

So far my plans are (I've been pretty good about not changing them in the past month or two) to come into Disney on December 7 stay a night, then do a short Disney cruise, then get back to Disney World between the 12th and the 21st. Second solo trip! So it would be fun to meet up with some people to break up some of the soloness.

Plans sound great! I want to do a cruise! Stay in contact with me as it gets closer to December and I will let you know what we are doing. It is fun to meet up with people to break up the soloness. I was sad when my friends left.

Oh man, I would've panicked so much with all that phone call stuff! Glad it wasn't something majorly serious.

Yeah I know!! I get really antsy when thinking something could be wrong and I was thinking the worst.

I don't get the whole iPad as a camera thing either! I love my iPad but I don't want to haul it around to the parks with me! In February I saw someone videoing Wishes on theirs!

I don't either! I would be worried that all that walking and rides would crush it.

Love your TR! Someone told me that taking pictures with your iPad is the new equivalent to wearing a fanny pack,

I can't wait to see your vinylmations. I have never seen any in person!

Lol thats funny. It really is. It is all over the parks now. You haven't seen any in person!!? Lol! Well this won't really be in person either. haha!

Yes!! Wasn't that beautiful! What did you think about the "famous" cologne??? I was amazed at that fountain and all the older ladies dipping their hands in the water and cover themselves in that… SMELL!!!

I didn't even see that!!!! That sounds funny!! I can't believe I missed that. I didn't even hear about that. But it was 5 years ago so maybe I just forgot about it.

Hi Rachel! I agree, that 9 pound lemon is always 9 lbs... hmmmm... great photos of all the fruit/veggies and the hidden Mickeys!

I was trying to figure out where they keep the Epcot globe for Illuminations but I know it doesn't stay out all the time. Someone will need to help us out here with that important question!

You had never been on the Mexican Small World ride?? Too bad it was interrupted by trying to figure out why someone had called and left no mssg. Whew..... at least it ended up not being serious....So odd that the poop police called Corey's parents.

Great job being the live dining thread back up!

Someone did help us! I guess it comes out later in the day. Nope, I have never been on the mexican small world ride I think I did when I was like 12 but I don't remember it. Lol yeah the poop police calling coreys parents was weird. I think it was because they had that number on file from him before he moved in? I am not sure. It was definitely weird and I was mad they called us so many times.

i can understand them calling you once,not twice and certainly not calling coreys parents,thats crazy !!! I would die if my building manager ever did that and then i'd be in trouble cause my mom would probly tell them off if they called her house lol.

Yeah I know it was weird. haha I wish coreys parents would have told them off!

Omg, I would have been freaking out about the phone calls too. Why would they ever call someone's parents? That's just strange.

Once again, great pictures!

Thanks! It was strange and I was so mad!!

Wow, you really have a great eye for photos.

The Illuminations globe does indeed come out during the day. I actually got to see it once. The bridge is raised, I "think" between China and Germany, and out it comes into the lagoon from backstage. I found a clip on youtube. It happens around 3pm I believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-MnCmegv0Y

Thanks for the info about the globe coming out during the day. I think I did hear that before but I forgot, so thanks!!

 

[rachel09985]

I had a dinner reservation at Les Chefs de France so I headed over there because I didn't have much else to do.

I saw a beautiful Belle in her warm gear!

Took a picture of my restaurant for the evening.

Les Halles. When I took this picture I didn't even notice that it said Les Halles until it opened.

Now time for my own review of Les Chefs de France!

I got in early to my reservation. When you are by yourself you gotta eat to keep yourself busy!!


I wanted to splurge and order a glass of wine. I don't normally drink alcohol at dinner. I told him I wanted to order a sweeter but not too sweet wine. I suggested the Pierre Sparr Riesline but he told me that is a very dry wine. I didn't want that. He suggested the Bougogne Blanc Chardonnay. I normally don't like chardonnay but I decided to try it.

It was very good. It was not too sweet but wasn't too dry. Perfect!

After I ordered a friend came around: Remy! I thought he was only at lunch but I guess he was at dinner too.

His handler was funny. RANT: I was squeezed into a 2 top right in the middle of the restaurant and my table was wobbly so they put something under it to hold up the table. When Remy and his handler passed I literally had to move my table so they could pass by. That was kinda weird. I felt like no one really apologized or anything. After that I had to reset my table to not be wobbly. I hate when tables are wobbly at restaurants.

For my appetizer I ordered the lobster bisque. I was worried that the french version would be different from what i have had but this was very good.

It was very creamy, actually HOT, lots of lobster, and just delicious!!

I also got a french baguette. This was good. It was crusty but wasn't too crusty and it was easy to tear.

Ambience...

For my entree I ordered the gratin macaroni with a gruyere cream sauce.

When I was first presented this plate I thought to myself the portion size was smaller than what I expected it to be.

I didn't love this. I am glad I tried it but it was pretty flavorless. It did have that light nutmeg taste and it wasn't that enjoyable for me. It was ok though. It was very rich I agree so the small size was fine. I only ate about 3/4 of it.

The funny story is, that when the server took it away from me I told him I was too full and he was like, yeah this is a lot. It is an american portion size, playing into the fact europeans portions are smaller. I just though that was funny considering I thought the portion size was small and he told me this was an american portion size!.

View outside.

For dessert I ordered the vanilla creme brulee!!

Now this is what creme brulee should taste like it!! It was sooo light, so creamy, so fresh tasting, cool, and just so good! The brulee topping was perfect and it was just awesome! I want it right now.

This was a big portion size.

All in all a very good experience! I don't think the entrees stand out to me much but the ambience, desserts, and appetizers are outstanding!!

There was a couple sitting next to me that had a TIW card and were taking food photos too! If you guys are on the DIS say hi! LOL!

 

[cheekypoppins]

to be honest Chef de France is the one place i try to steer people away from and in my honest opinion the only thing good there IS the creme brulee,It's the restaurant I dislike the most.There are places i have eaten n I think ok that wasnt as good as I hoped but none I wouldn't try again Except that one EUCH!!! Although that being said if i could go there for creme brulee only I would.

 

[rachel09985]

to be honest Chef de France is the one place i try to steer people away from and in my honest opinion the only thing good there IS the creme brulee,It's the restaurant I dislike the most.There are places i have eaten n I think ok that wasnt as good as I hoped but none I wouldn't try again Except that one EUCH!!! Although that being said if i could go there for creme brulee only I would.

Yeah I semi agree. Their entrees suck. The only one that sounded good to me was the macaroni and that wasn't good.

The lobster bisque and the creme brulee were both soo good though! It is also a gorgeous restaurant and I enjoyed my time there. The atmosphere was perfect and I felt like I was in France.

 

[rachel09985]

Since I already decided I wasn't staying for Illuminations, I decided I was ready to leave the park, leisurely at last!

I walked towards Mexico and tried to take a lot of pictures sans tripod. In order to take pictures with a long shutter speed you have to steady your camera. So I tried finding all sorts of rails to put it on.

I stopped in Germany to pick up some goodies to take with me to my hotel. I got caramel corn and a caramel with milk chocolate. I thought I only had one snack left, but I had two! So those were covered by the DP.

I love these next photos.

The last thing I wanted to do was ride Spaceship Earth so I went into Mousegears first and looked around. I didn't want to leave the park and leave the bubble yet for reality so what better thing to do than shop?

I have collected probably like 5 vinylmations before but I have always gotten the visible ones, not the blind boxes. But, this trip, I have been looking at the Pixar series blind boxes. I have thought they were incredible cute and the coolest designs! I liked all of the designs but two.

So, I picked out two blind boxes!! Which ones will I get??

After Mousegears I made my way over to Spaceship Earth to go on my last ride this trip.

Next up: Spaceship Earth!

 

[rachel09985]

It was a walk on to Spaceship Earth. I love this ride last because it feels nice to relax and it is always too busy in the am.

I noticed this trip that the game Mousetrap is on the floor at the family scene. How cute!

LOL. My friend looks cool.

Upon walking out I got suckered into taking a survey. I didn't realize it would take so long but I was there for like 20 minutes. I made the mistake of saying I ate at the Kabuki House(for the kakigori) so I had to answer all of these stupid questions about that all for a kakigori. I ate at two table service restaurants so maybe that is why it took a long time. It was nice to sit down though. Those computers you take the survey on are very hardcore.

At the end they ask you these questions about your experience with Disney.

Now THIS is what you call a true Disney fan, ahah!! Checking yes for all the boxes!!

I had the photopass photog take a pic of me, since I had no pics of me this day!! So sad. I look exhausted in this picture.

The bus took a little bit so I opened my vinylmations up! Finally, I can show you them!!!

I got Flik and Fillmore!!! I was happy with these two!!!! My number one one I wanted was Nemo, though.

When I got to Pop, I had them call me a cab and I got my luggage out.

They told me to have a seat in their little golf cart they have sitting out. As soon as I almost sat down I realized there was this huge A** spider spinning a web in there. Thank god I didn't sit down, I am scared of spiders. So, I sat inside

The cab driver came and he took me the mariott near I Drive. Cab was expensed, so that was nice! When I checked in they gave me a free water, I was parched and had goodies to consume.

The room was soo nice. A real hotel makes you appreciate it, instead of those crappy value rooms at DW. Fun, but small for what you get. The bed was soo soft and cozy.

I got under my covers and turned on the TV and saw my fav show, that I forgot about!YES! I didn't miss it.

I had my caramel marshmallow roll which was delicious.

Teaser: At this point I thought my time with Disney World was up, but there is more to come!

 

[cheekypoppins]

aew I dont think you look exhausted i think it's a cute pic of you ,and omg I love love love with all my little dis heart the amount of spaceship earth pics MY FAVE!!!!

 

[PinkLemonade7503]

I can't wait to hear more!

 

[marDgreen88]

Your pictures are so pretty, as usual!

Those vinylmations are so cute! I love Flik so much.

WOOO bonus Disney time! Can't wait to hear about it!

 

[rachel09985]

aew I dont think you look exhausted i think it's a cute pic of you ,and omg I love love love with all my little dis heart the amount of spaceship earth pics MY FAVE!!!!

Lol i laughed at this. I love that little dis heart saying!!! I love spaceship earth too! It is so beautiful.

I can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for reading!

Your pictures are so pretty, as usual!

Those vinylmations are so cute! I love Flik so much.

WOOO bonus Disney time! Can't wait to hear about it!

I love Flik too!!! He is an awesome guy!!

I know, bonus disney time was awesome! Can't wait to tell you about it!

 

[Linda67]

I wish I looked like that when I was exhausted ! - you look super cute in the photopass photo

Great Epcot shots, especially Spaceship Earth with the flowers in the foreground

I love that you took a little bit of Disney with you to munch on in your next hotel !

Oh and you've left us on a bit of a cliffhanger with your teaser

 

[wiigirl]

Love all your pics!

 

[rachel09985]

I wish I looked like that when I was exhausted ! - you look super cute in the photopass photo

Great Epcot shots, especially Spaceship Earth with the flowers in the foreground

I love that you took a little bit of Disney with you to munch on in your next hotel !

Oh and you've left us on a bit of a cliffhanger with your teaser

Haha i felt exhausted. I looked so disheveled. I like that Spaceship earth pic too! I did leave a cliffhanger. I am trying to prolong my trip report to last until right before I leave for my next trip so I might be posting slow. I have about 3 more updates left.

Love all your pics!

Thank you!

 

[rachel09985]

So we had to be at our training at 8am. Out in the lobby I saw a guy that looked familiar and then realized he works for PepsiCo too but he is on the Target team here in Minneapolis.

I said hi to him and then we decided to share a cab to the PepsiCo building.

We didn't get an actual cab that came, it was a towncar SUV. He ended up getting lost twice. Mind you, the ride should have taken only 3-4 minutes. Ours took 10 minutes. He ended up charging us $20!!! When we went to give them our work AmEx he said he didn't accept credit cards.

Me, being the dummy I am, says, "Oh that is okay, I have cash!" So I gave him my cash. Matt got mad and told me that I shouldn't have said that because it is illegal for cab drivers to not accept credit cards and he only said that because he didn't want to pay the credit card fees.

So lesson learned: Cab drivers HAVE to accept credit cards!!

When we got into the PepsiCo building the security guard says, "Are you looking for PepsiCo?" We said yes and he directed us to level 6.

After looking all over the place on level 6 we couldn't find our training and no one knew anything about it. (Secretly I was hoping it was cancelled so I could explore WDW some more!)

My dream was shattered when we learned there was another floor of Pepsi on level 4. So there we went and we found our meeting room but no one was there!! People finally showed up 30 minutes after and we found out we were early because our Outlook was still in Central Time.

So the training finally got started! It was a great training and I learned a lot. We had yummy fruit for breakfast from Publix and lunch was catered in from a place called Too-jays. It was okay.

The lunch area was really cool because you could see Universal!!! There was a huge window and you could actually see Hogwarts!!! It was awesome! Made me want to go back.

So, remember my vinylmations I got?? The whole second half of training I kept thinking of vinylmations. I just wanted to get more of these Pixar ones. It was like an addiction. I figured there would be plans for dinner but I contemplated going to DTD after dinner just because.

As we got closer to ending time still no plans for dinner were announced!! I was getting so anxious knowing I might get to go to Disney!!

At the end they announced we were on our own for dinner!! OMG I was sooo excited!!! I was going to go to dinner at WDW!

When we were packing up people started making plans for dinner. They asked me if I wanted to go but I admitted I was going to Disney! Haha. I suppose I should have been social and should have networked with my new co workers but my love for Walt Disney World is greater than socialization!

At the hotel I hurry up and changed into disney clothes(even put on a disney shirt) and decided I would get a Cab to Downtown Disney because it was cheapest from our hotel. The front desk confirmed the cab would be about $35. I was worried about traffic though. I decided to go to DTD first then go to the Polynesian and have dinner at Kona, since I missed it the first day.

They called me a cab and it came quickly. I got in the cab and made sure he accepted credit cards. He did. We passed Seaworld on the way there. He was a really nice and talkative guy. I enjoyed listening to him. When we were almost to Disney I told him I was going to the Polynesian. He was like well why don't I just take you there instead? I told him DTD was cheaper so I would be fine there. He told me he would take me the Poly for no extra cost.

Then he told me it would be $45!!! I was like excuse me but it is supposed to be $35. My cab last night was only around $35. I got him to drop it to $38 but he wasn't happy. Then he told me there was a $4 surcharge for using a credit card?? Excuse me again?? You never said that. If you did I would have said I will wait for a different cab.

So, we got to Poly and I paid and I didn't leave a tip! I felt bad but I shouldn't have to pay a $4 surcharge for using a CC.

So, I was at the Polynesian. I was in Disney again and i was in heaven

I checked in at Kona and got seated right away. There was no one there. I think it was bout 5:30.

I asked her to sit me in the back where no one could see me.

I started with the amazing bread with macadamia nut butter.

Wow, this bread is satisfying. This butter is like whipped creamy sweet deliciousness. I am not kidding, I could eat the butter: ALONE! That is how good it is. The butter topped on the soft bread is amazing.

I ordered the Pan Fried Chicken with mango and coconut sauces with the side salad with fruit on it.

Wow, this salad was awesome!!! I found out it is the honey lime dressing served at Ohana. So if you miss that dressing you can still get it here. The strawberries and almonds on this salad were perfect.

The chicken was also very good but I wish there was a bit more sauce on it. It was a little dry but had good flavor.

This was a great entree. Not too filling and it had my favorite dressing ever.

For dessert I ordered the Kona Coffee Panna Cotta. I had the creme brulee last November which was amazing but I wanted to try this this time.

This was ok. It had a very strong coffee flavor and was a little too dry, not creamy enough. I think it was just ok because of the very strong coffee flavor but it does say coffee in the description so I can't be too upset! I didn't hate it but I didn't love it.

All in all it was a great meal. I was so incredible excited I got to eat here especially after I missed my ADR the first day! The best part: I got to put it on my company AmEX! So I didn't have to pay anything! It was perfect

 

[cheekypoppins]

woohooo team Disney!!!!

 

[jecskc]

YAY for vinylmations !! I Love that Filmore one !! Soo cute !! I can't wait to buy some more !! 3 more days !!

 

[MEK]

I noticed this trip that the game Mousetrap is on the floor at the family scene. How cute!

How cool is THAT! Seriously, I have never seen that before and I think its awesome that you were able to get that in your photo. Your SE pics are really nice and clear and bright!

I really enjoyed reading about your time in WDW. Yeah yeah yeah for going back to the Poly for dinner, but these cab costs! Yikes! Thank goodness you could expense some of it, but really what's the deal with these guys and jacking the prices and all the surcharges? Makes me never want to take a taxi.

 

[francis6306]

I didn't even see that!!!! That sounds funny!! I can't believe I missed that. I didn't even hear about that. But it was 5 years ago so maybe I just forgot about it.

Oh wow! It was the thing our guides were SO excited to show us!!! They went on and on about how this was the reason we call perfume "Cologne" because of the town of Koln and that smelly stuff!!!

YAY for expensing a dinner at Kona!! Boo to jerky taxi drivers! Can't believe that you basically got "scammed" twice… What is wrong with people!?!??!!?

I loved Les Chefs! I had the lobster bisque and my daughter at the mac and cheese… I haven't ever seen Belle with the cape! She looks beautiful!