I'll Be Good Next Year- Fantasy Eastern NYE 13/14 Updates 6/17

[podsnel]

So sorry to hear about your SIL.

Thanks Luv.

I haven't been to CP in years but I remember it was amazing. I love holiday Illuminations too.

Jill in CO

I agree completely!

So Sorry to hear about your SIL, prayers being sent.

Thank you very, very much.

I really want to do the CP one of these days. I went at Christmas a few times and for some reason never knew about it until maybe 3-4 years ago, I had thought it might be new but looked it up and it has been around for years.

Yes- forever! Gary Sinese did it the first year- and told them he would be back always to do it because it was so powerful- I think they said he has missed one year since then.

Dinner at La Hacienda looked great! We plan to try one of the Mexico restaurants on our next trip.

I definitely liked this food better than San Angel- but the ambiance of the other can't be beat!

I'm so sorry to hear about your SIL.

Thank you Alison.

The meal at Hacienda looked amazing, we enjoyed our tequila lunch there during F&W and I'm looking forward to having a meal there sometime. We love Mexican food and I enjoy something besides the regular old taco joint.

I remember your tequila lunch- I am hoping to talk my friends into that or the sake one (if they have it again) or one in France when we go in Oct!

The CP sounds amazing, we've seen it at DL, but never been to WDW at Christmastime so never had the chance.

Is it the same event? I hope to go to DL for the holidays someday- definitely on my bucket list!

Sorry to hear about your SIL Ellen. Prayers to her and your entire family.

Thanks, Chris. I appreciate it.

Loved the fireworks at EPCOT this year. Especially the Holiday version. Very good. And your photo of the fountain in France is beautiful. EPCOT is just the coolest park.

YES IT IS!!!! My favorite!

And we love Crew's Cup Lounge. We visited a couple of times and the special drink they were serving, Santa's Little Helper, was wonderful! I may of had 2 or 3 while we were there. Yummmmm.

That drink looked yummy! But I was only having one, and that one HAD to be the Gran Marnier drink (I was not up for 5 in a half hour yet like I would be later in the trip with YOU, lol....)

So sorry to hear about your sister-in-law! Will say some prayers for her!

Thank you Melanie! We really do appreciate that!

We love Hacienda too. We usually split the meal that Pods and your son (forgot which one ) split. DH loves meat - me not so much but I do love the corn on that platter! And we went to the CP on our trip in 2012. I absolutely loved it! It is on the list for our trip in early December this year. My best friend's family is joining us in December and I know she will love it too

He split it with timmy- because Timmy is a slightly picky eater, but he will ALWAYS eat meat. How exciting! You are going at Christmas time AGAIN, and with FRIENDS!

And now I know why I don't let DH read trip reports - he is a teacher too and we are soooo ready to leave Iowa. He would be thrilled to be a bartender down there. He has done a little for a friend who owns a bar/restaurant and he loves to just meet new people and talk! But we need to wait until DD is off to college because she would never leave her friends here....

Bill had nothing but GREAT things to say, you may want to reconsider.... or at least go in there for a drink in December and hear it for yourself.....

Can't wait to read more!

I so wish we had met!

I'm so sorry about your SIL.

Thank you so much- it really means alot.

The Candelight Processional does look lovely. I know its something I would enjoy, though I'm not sure the kids would sit still for it. I'm not even sure Mike would sit still for it...he's almost as bad as they are!

So is Pods, and he enjoyed it- different for kids, though.

I wanted to try La Hacienda, but some of the menu items looked like they might be way too "authentic" Mexican food for my family. These guys are used to the fajitas and tacos you get at Chili's and Moe's!

I think that's ok- Timmy's definition of Mexican is ground beef with taco seasoning and a small sprinkling of cheddar cheese on a taco shell- and he really enjoyed the meal. So ya never know!

 

[hilarys]

Subscribing to this thread. We currently have the same cruised booked for this year and I want to hear all about it. We were on the Fantasy in Spring Break 2013 and booked NYE 2014/2015 as it was the furthest out cruise we could book. Now with the changes to the OBB policy and the fact that we may not want to wait so long for another cruise, we are pretty certain we will keep it. Just waiting on the 2015 dates to come out to see if there is something else that would inspire me to move the date (Baltics maybe??).

Hilary

 

[podsnel]

Just a few pics from around the BC and BCV .....and Oh! I had forgotten to mention that Melanie (Stinksmom) and I had been messaging back and forth tonight on FB, trying to get together, but unfortunately couldn't seem to make the meet...hopefully we will do better next time!























And then off to bed...because in the morning...we were going on the CRUISE!!!!!

 

[podsnel]

Saturday morning was finally HERE!!!!!! We were finally going on the Fantasy!!!! Of course, I was the MOST excited about this of EVERYONE- so I showered up and packed up (not that we had UNpacked too much!) while Pods showered too. BIG surprise, the boys stayed asleep. I had a 9:30am ADR for Captain's Grille for the 4 of- well, I am sure you know there were only 2 of us dining that morning, lol. We were about 20 minutes early, I think. While we waited, we checked out the incredibly well themed village and train in the Yacht Club lobby (the Yacht Club, Katie!!! YAY!)-





















Soon we were seated and ordering. I really like trying different restaurants at WDW, especially if they offer something unique- I mean, I can easily make scrambled eggs at home (much better even) so I am looking for something more inventive- and at this restaurant, they had these pancakes that sounded divine....Lemon-Ricotta Hotcakes - blueberry compote, citrus pudding, and savory hash browns $10.99



These were seriously yum- they were very light, and the citrus sauce on them just a bit tart with the blueberries- it was really good! Pods had Lobster Omelet - butter-warmed lobster, asparagus, chive-infused cream and captain's potatoes $13.49 because...ya really don't see too many lobster omelets on a menu, ya know?



His was good, but I think mine was better.

We had a towncar picking us up from Happy Limo at 11, so we went back...





The carousel is really detailed and beautiful...

















back to villa



The boys were up- we did feed them something (I have no idea what tho!), called Bell Services and...

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Geissels have left the building!



Time to CRUISE!!

 

[jedijill]

Those hotcakes look divine!

Yay! It's off to the cruise!

Jill in CO

 

[KristiMc]

The hotcakes do look divine! Beautiful pictures of the lobby.

Yay for cruise time. It's time for us to finally meet!

 

[podsnel]

Subscribing to this thread. We currently have the same cruised booked for this year and I want to hear all about it. We were on the Fantasy in Spring Break 2013 and booked NYE 2014/2015 as it was the furthest out cruise we could book. Now with the changes to the OBB policy and the fact that we may not want to wait so long for another cruise, we are pretty certain we will keep it. Just waiting on the 2015 dates to come out to see if there is something else that would inspire me to move the date (Baltics maybe??).

Hilary

Hi Hilary! Lucky girl!! Being booked on the NYE cruise is fantastic, but that you were able to do it before the new restrictions for OBB is even MORE fantastic- I hope you decide to hold on to it. This was an AMAZING time- DCL goes above and beyond for NYE, and I can tell you already you will be cruising with some absolutely lovely people- there is a large group- actually, several-that go every year because they love it so much. And the Fantasy? BEYOND ALL (high) EXPECTATIONS FOR ALLLLLLLL.

Those hotcakes look divine!

Really enjoyed them- hope I can have them again sometime!

Yay! It's off to the cruise!

Jill in CO

I KNOW! That's the point, right?

The hotcakes do look divine! Beautiful pictures of the lobby.

Thanks, Babe.

Yay for cruise time. It's time for us to finally meet!

One of the BEST things EVER!!!

 

[rentayenta]

I am also sorry to hear about your sister in law. If you text me her full name our congregation will pray for her next Friday night during the MiSheberach. (Google it)

 

[Linda67]

I am seeing so many great reviews for Captains Grille lately, we are going to have to try it one time
Oh and to answer your previous Q, I never did a TR - I told you I am lazy

 

[MEK]

I really think my goal should be to stay at as many resorts as possible during Christmas. The decorations are just so beautiful everywhere, but the BCV's decorations seems the most whimsical. :good vibes And that village at the YC is very cool. I don't think I have ever seen it.

Your breakfast also looks especially yummy. That may just have to be my pre cruise breakfast location next October!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

It looks like a gorgeous city, I have really only heard and read good things. I think I will be very sad we have such limited time there.I would LOVE to see those gardens- they are supposed to be glorious- but I think my boys would all be over it in 10 minutes, unfortunately. Maybe I'll go back someday....

I have to laugh at myself here. Okay, the city I am describing is Victoria. I'm such a dork! Vancouver is also beautiful! We just didn't have much time there, either because we were catching a train to Seattle (loved that)

It seemed like the area right around the port had no restaurants - maybe they were in the basements of those buildings. We found a cool little park - we were trying to find the "old town" area that was supposed to be close. We didn't find it on foot, but found it on a view from the cab on the way to the train station. I have it in my TR from that trip, but I'm sure lots of DISers have some great tips.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, I'm all caught up. I'm so sorry to hear about Mirena. I will def be praying for her, and for the family.

I loved all your Christmas décor pics! Such a beautiful time to be in the World. It's great that you got a couple of days at Epcot, but now I'm looking forward to cruising with you!

 

[podsnel]

I am also sorry to hear about your sister in law. If you text me her full name our congregation will pray for her next Friday night during the MiSheberach. (Google it)

Thanks so much, jenny- I will text you in a few. Really means alot- The Mi Sheberach sounds beautiful.

I am seeing so many great reviews for Captains Grille lately, we are going to have to try it one time
Oh and to answer your previous Q, I never did a TR - I told you I am lazy

I see good ones and bad ones. I had a light lunch there once (some REALLY REALLY good clam chowder with the clams still in the shells) and I would go back again. Very convenient if you are staying there, and it never feels rushed or crowded.

I really think my goal should be to stay at as many resorts as possible during Christmas. The decorations are just so beautiful everywhere, but the BCV's decorations seems the most whimsical. :good vibes And that village at the YC is very cool. I don't think I have ever seen it.

The village was super cool- all the little buildings had some little Disney connection (what a surprise! LOL).

Your breakfast also looks especially yummy. That may just have to be my pre cruise breakfast location next October!

It would be a very good choice! Maybe we will have to join you!

It looks like a gorgeous city, I have really only heard and read good things. I think I will be very sad we have such limited time there.I would LOVE to see those gardens- they are supposed to be glorious- but I think my boys would all be over it in 10 minutes, unfortunately. Maybe I'll go back someday....



I have to laugh at myself here. Okay, the city I am describing is Victoria. I'm such a dork! Vancouver is also beautiful! We just didn't have much time there, either because we were catching a train to Seattle (loved that)

Ya know....I kind of was thinking Buchart Gardens were in Victoria, but then i was thinking YOU are the one who has already been there, not me, so what do I know?

It seemed like the area right around the port had no restaurants - maybe they were in the basements of those buildings. We found a cool little park - we were trying to find the "old town" area that was supposed to be close. We didn't find it on foot, but found it on a view from the cab on the way to the train station. I have it in my TR from that trip, but I'm sure lots of DISers have some great tips.

You docked in Coal Harbor? I have read there is plenty to do there- are you sure you are thinking of the right city this time?

Okay, I'm all caught up. I'm so sorry to hear about Mirena. I will def be praying for her, and for the family.

Thanks Tammie- I appreciate that. Mariana is a truly lovely woman, this is all incredibly horrible.

I loved all your Christmas décor pics! Such a beautiful time to be in the World. It's great that you got a couple of days at Epcot, but now I'm looking forward to cruising with you! [/COLOR ]

I am looking forward to the cruise TOO! It was UNBELIEVABLE!

 

[eandesmom]

We had some time to kill before our next ride, which was going to be Mission Space. So we made a beeline for WS and a snack- and saw...the Monkey King in China!



Sadly, I did NOT get any monkey kisses today. But this was one of the BIG reasons I was dying to come to WDW at Christmas- all these stories from all the different countries' holiday traditions. So magical!

PLUS- all the special food and drinks!

GAH! I am still heartbroken over this. I did not see a single storyteller (yeah, that's a spoiler). They were only there our 1st night, as was the special food and wine stuff (I think). We saw a lot of magical things but I was very bummed not to see a single storyteller.

Pods and I stopped at a booth with the most beautiful ornaments-



And THESE- I have one from F&G from our first year at it, but I have not seen them there since. Hopefully they will be back!

I want!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like really really REALLY bad. Did.not.see.these!

What a fun epcot day you had and you really got a lot done. Glad you liked La Hacienda, yum.

Those hotcakes were my other breakfast choice, I couldn't decide! They look absolutely FAB.

And you are OFF!

 

[papertraveller]

Vancouver is so beautiful! We rented a car and went to Butchart Gardens, which was a bust because it was Spring and they had a late Winter up there, (It was still beautiful, just short on flowers) and the Dunsmuir castle, which I loved because it was historical, but I'm not sure your boys would be so into it.

Hi,
So just to clarify, the sites MAGICFOR2 enjoyed are actually in Victoria. And it looks like Disney dumped Victoria from the schedule this year -- too bad. My dad enjoyed going down to see the Wonder whenever she was in port!
I get a kick out of people touring Craigdarroch Castle -- way back in the last century I had my piano lessons there when the Victoria Conservatory of Music leased the joint!
For Vancouver, your Chewies friends will of course give you lots of tips -- but Stanley Park and the seawall are tops for anyone. A drink overlooking English Bay, a visit to the Granville Market -- there's your time filled before you depart and head north up the Inside Passage. You'll enjoy your view of the North Shore from the Pan Pacific -- what a great score!
Best, from one of your (many) Canadian fans!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

You docked in Coal Harbor? I have read there is plenty to do there- are you sure you are thinking of the right city this time?


It was at Canada Place I had read there was plenty to do, too - I had a big plan for the day, but found out the big park you take the double decker buses to was quite a ways away, and they would drop you off, but it is hard to get a cab back, and we were afraid of not getting back on time. Jim says true to form, we went right out of the terminal, instead of left. There were a couple of good looking places that direction in the bay - (I think Cynthia went to one of those). By that time, we had spoken to a local near an apt building, and found our way to an underground mall and ate at a pub in the food court. Here's my page to prove I really was there : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2656302&page=28 So the moral of the story? If you are Walking from the pier, go Left a couple of blocks to find the old area. I think there is also a really cool island close by, with eating and shops and art and music - you need to take a ferry there. We just didn't have the time that day.

 

[RGirl]

SERIOUSLY??? You’re already at 8 pages??? I give up!

How is it possible that both boys look bigger and more grown-up just from the California trip???? What the HECK are you feeding them????

Oh, I too have a dream of seeing WDW at Christmas time - even if I can’t experience a single ride because of lines, I want to see the decorations! Kind of toying with using our DLR APs to see DLR at Christmas this year depending on airfare. Oh, you got some beautiful castle (and Partners) pics. And BTMRR - one of my top two fave WDW rides, but I can totally imagine how you would bash around without another person (I have ridden with a VERY tiny person - not quite the same but enough to make me understand what it would be like!).

LOVE the BW pics! You know how much I love that resort (other than creepy flower/chair guy - yeesh….). : Seriously? That’s the standard view???? I wouldn’t complain about that all. I wonder what standard view is for the non-DVC side - I booked standard view for our August trip, but we ended up with a boardwalk view. I really, really like the DVC standard view.

OMG! That pic of the TT line is truly horrifying! Other than that, what a great time at Epcot!

The Candlelight Processional looks amazing. I am so sorry about your SiL - she will be in my thoughts.

Pre-cruise breakfast looks delish!

So excited to read about your cruise!

 

[dizneeat]

And another great update!
We love the Captain's Grille too - always have and your pics of the BCVs reminded me how much we had enjoyed last summer's stay there.

 

[JulieODC]

Joining in!!

We were at YC in November...so just missed the Christmas decorations at the resort. So, its fun to see all your pics!!

 

[DWGal210]

I'm so sorry to hear about your SIL. I'll be praying for her and her family.

And YAY FOR YACHT CLUB!!!! CANNOT. WAIT.

Your pancakes looked yummy - I'm with you, it's good to order something you can't make or wouldn't get at home. My Disney breakfast is always the Eggs Benedict if I can get them, because even though I can poach an egg I cannot master hollandaise sauce.