"Through the force, things you will see" - Two May 2014 Trips - Complete

Introductions

Dis_Yoda:
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27 Year Old Quality Engineer. Grew up loving Disney. Loves Pirates.


Mr. Dis_Yoda:
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30 Year Old Retail Manager. Learned to love Disney after meeting me. Loves Star Wars.
 
The Hotels

Trip #1
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From May 1st to May 4th, we will be on our first trip 'home' to VGF. We bought last year when sales opened for members but we already had our trips planned out for the rest of 2013. Originally, this trip was going to be for us to attend the Expedition Everest 5k Race that occurs on May 3rd but we were too slow to sign up & by the time I go to sign up a month after registration opened, it was already filled. We figured if we were doing that race, being able to use the spa would be a nice relaxing way to enjoy the trip outside of the race. Now the focus of the trip has changed a bit and we are mainly just going to enjoy the Flower & Garden festival along with enjoying the resort. My husband has never stayed at the Grand Floridian. I haven't stayed there since before college so I'm happy to be back 'home' (Growing up, we would spend at least a full week at the Grand in May)


Trip #2
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As the focus for the May 30th to June 1st trip is Star Wars Weekend, we wanted to be able to stay within walking distance to Hollywood Studios as we know we will need to get the park super early on Saturday and Sunday to get in line for certain events and shopping.

We haven't stayed at the Boardwalk since our 2009 F&W Trip so I'm excited to be going back.

 
ADRs

We enjoy to dine at Disney. We have Tables in Wonderland which works out better for us than the dining plan as the DDP wouldn't work for us as we don't really eat much Counter Service but the Deluxe Dining Plan is too much food as we don't always need appetizers, entrees and desserts at each place we eat - sometimes I rather just have 2 appetizers as my meal and just steal some of my husband's dessert.

For both of these trips, we based our dinner plans around where we are staying.

May 1st

Dinner: Grand Floridian Cafe

We have only had lunch here before so we are excited to try it for dinner. As I'm not sure if we are leaving for Disney in the morning or after work (not sure on my excess vacation time until I get the firm dates for our San Diego trip) At this time, I figure we will arrive around 7:30pm.

May 2nd

Lunch: Flower & Garden Booths @ EPCOT

We really enjoyed the booths last year that were a great addition to the festival. We want to be able to try all 11 of them.

Dinner: Narcoossee's

This is one of our favorites that we've skipped the past few trips.

May 3rd

Lunch: We haven't determined where we would like to eat yet. We aren't even sure which park we will be going to on Saturday as of yet.

Dinner: Citricos

We haven't had a regular meal here in a while. The last 2 times have been wine dinners.

May 4th

Breakfast: 1900 Park Faire


May 30th

Lunch: Sci-Fi

I know the food isn't the best but it at least has the atmosphere to make up for it.

Dinner: Flying Fish

One of our favorites we have missed for regular dining the past few times we've been at Disney. We loved our F&W Festival Dinner we had there this past October though.

May 31st

Lunch: Brown Derby

I love that they finally brought back a small lunch menu that they give in addition to their normal 'all day' menu. It just enough for lunch again as the all day menu just didn't work for us for an early meal.

Dinner: Yachtsman

If you read my dining reports from Feb 2014 or October 2013, you'll see that the Yachtsman is back on our favorite list. We've greatly enjoyed both of our meals there in the past year.

 


I'm here to follow along!

Did you ever end up making it to the Brown Derby Lounge or is that the all day menu that you are talking about? I'm wondering about lunch choices for us that weekend. While DHS has OK CS choices for one day, I'm not sure about Friday and Saturday lunches in the park. Like you, I kind of like "better than average CS" food and since we're sort of slumming it on our in room DVC dinners, I might like a decent lunch meal one of the days we're at SWW.
 
I'm here to follow along!

Did you ever end up making it to the Brown Derby Lounge or is that the all day menu that you are talking about? I'm wondering about lunch choices for us that weekend. While DHS has OK CS choices for one day, I'm not sure about Friday and Saturday lunches in the park. Like you, I kind of like "better than average CS" food and since we're sort of slumming it on our in room DVC dinners, I might like a decent lunch meal one of the days we're at SWW.

Welcome!

I never did make it to the lounge. When I tried to go there in November, they didn't open until later & I was hungry then but I was able to walk into the restaurant for lunch. They had a special lunch menu in addition to their normal menu in the main dining room.

I really don't enjoy the CS choices at DHS. The CS we had at Mara this last trip totally reminded us how much we really should just avoid the basic cs type places. I rather just pay a little extra for sitting down and relaxing during the mid-day break.

Lunch is always better for the budget than dinner at least. We've only stayed in studios so we can't really cook dinner in our room unless we did the BBQs but we have enough cookouts around here that we won't do that on vacation. I do love my kitchenette though for the use of the microwave and toaster for breakfast items when we need to.
 
Flower & Garden Outdoor Kitchen Menus

The full menus were listed this past week for the booths. Bolded are the ones we are interested in trying out!


Florida Fresh
  • Watermelon salad with pickled onions, BW Farm baby arugula, feta cheese and balsamic reduction Loved this last year
  • Shrimp and stone ground grits with andouille sausage, sweet corn, tomatoes and cilantro
  • Florida kumquat pie
  • Watermelon passion fruit slush featuring Simply Lemonade®
  • Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria featuring Simply Lemonade, Florida Orange Groves (St. Petersburg, Florida)
  • Garda Italian Wine Blend, Quantum Leap Winery (Orlando, Florida)
  • Rogue Valley Pinot Noir, Quantum Leap Winery (Orlando, Florida)
  • Blonde Ale, Orlando Brewing Company (Orlando, Florida)
  • Cotton Mouth Belgian Style Witbier, Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville, Florida)
  • Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale, Florida Beer Company (Cape Canaveral, Florida) - Festival Exclusive!
  • Florida Avenue Blueberry, Cold Storage Craft Brewery (Tampa, Florida)
  • Beer Flight - Blonde Ale, Cotton Mouth Belgian Style Witbier, Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale and Florida Avenue Blueberry
  • Simply Orange

Hanami
  • Frushi - Fresh pineapple, strawberries and melon, rolled with coconut rice, topped with raspberry sauce, sprinkled with toasted coconut and served with whipped cream on the side
  • Temaki hand roll - Sliced Panko fried chicken, curry sauce, rice and pickled julienne carrots wrapped with Nori
  • Hanami sushi - A flavorful combination of salmon, scallop and beef-topped rice balls served atop a shiso violet sauce Try-It Logo
  • Japanese puffed rice cakes with green tea whipped cream and azuki
  • Kirin draft beer
  • Pinepple Paradise with Yuzu Slushie - Frozen blend of sweet sake, pineapple juice and créme, flavored with a hint of Yuzu citrus juice
  • Orange Mango Slushie - Frozen blend of Nigori sake, mango and orange juice

Jardin de Fiestas
  • Tacos al pastor - Corn tortilla filled with achiote-marinated pork, garnished with grilled diced pineapple, onions and cilantro
  • Quesadilla de hongos con queso - Flour tortilla filled with mushrooms and cheese
  • Flan de chocolate Abuelita - Mexican chocolate custard
  • Tecate draft beer
  • White Mexican sangria
  • Franbuesa (raspberry) margarita on the rocks
  • Tequila flight - blanco, reposado and añejo
  • Dasani® bottled water

Fleur de Lys
  • Gnocchi Parisien à la Provençal - Parisian-style dumplings with vegetables and mushrooms
  • Confit de canard, pommes de terre Sarladaise - Pulled duck confit with garlic and parsley potatoes
  • Macaron à la fleur d' Oranger - Orange blossom macaron with white chocolate ganache
  • La Vie en Rose frozen slush - Vodka, Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liquor, and white and red cranberry juice
  • Kir Imperial - Sparkling wine, Chambord and black raspberry liquor
  • Rosé pamplemousse cocktail - Rosé wine mixed with natural grapefruit syrup
  • Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 - Fruity white beer with citrus notes

Lotus House
  • Beijing-style candied strawberries
  • Spring pancake with grilled chicken and green apple
  • Vegetable spring rolls
  • Popping bubble tea
  • Kung Fu Punch - Vodka and triple sec with mango and orange juice
  • South Sea Storm - Guava juice with light and dark rum
  • Plum wine
  • Tsing-Tao beer
  • Lychee aerated water

Pineapple Promenade
  • Pineapple soft serve
  • Pineapple soft serve with Myers's dark rum
  • Pineapple soft serve with Parrot Bay coconut rum
  • Sweet potato cinnamon waffle with pineapple soft serve
  • Frozen desert violet lemonade featuring Simply Lemonade
  • Tropical Mango Pale Ale, St. John Brewers (U.S. Virgin Islands)
  • Once Upon a Vine's The Lost Slipper Sauvignon Blanc

Primavera Kitchen
  • Caprese - Fior di latte mozzarella, roasted peppers and olio verde
  • Three cheese manicotti - Egg pasta stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce and béchamel
  • Torta di ricotta - Lemon cheesecake with limoncello-marinated strawberries
  • Placido Pinot Grigio
  • Placido Chianti
  • Bosco del Merlo Prosecco
  • White peach bellini - Prosecco and white peach puree
  • Strawberry rossini - Prosecco and marinated strawberries
  • Frozen Italian primavera - Assorted fruit slushy with limoncello and vodka
  • Moretti Lager
  • Moretti La Rossa

Taste of Marrakesh
  • Lamb brewat roll with prunes and sesame
  • Harissa chicken kebab with couscous salad
  • Baghrir - Moroccan pancake with honey, almonds and argan oil
  • Mint iced tea
  • White sangria
  • Guerrouane red
  • Casa Beer
  • Desert Rose - Sparkling wine with pomegranate liqueur

Urban Farm Eats
  • Pickled beet salad with goat cheese cream, mizuna and pistachios
  • Land-grown eggplant "scallop" with romesco sauce and spaghetti squash Try-It Logo
  • Ghost pepper-dusted tilapia with crisp winter melon slaw and mint oil featuring The Original Sauce Man's Kick It Up Rub
  • Cucumber lemon spa water, finished with a sprig of fresh mint
  • The Vegan Vine Chardonnay
  • The Vegan Vine Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Redbridge Gluten-Free Sorghum Beer, Anheuser-Busch (St. Louis, Missouri)

THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews
  • Pulled pig slider with cole slaw
  • Smoked beef brisket with collard greens and jalapeño corn bread
  • Smoked turkey "rib" Try-It Logo
  • "Piggylicous" bacon cupcake with maple frosting and pretzel crunch featuring Nueske's® Applewood Smoked Bacon
  • Magic Hat #9, Magic Hat Brewing (South Burlington, Vermont)
  • Maduro, Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida)
  • Fat Tire, New Belgium Brewing Company (Ft. Collins, Colorado)
  • Billy's Chilies, Twisted Pine Brewing Company (Boulder, Colorado)
  • Beer Flight - Magic Hat #9, Maduro, Fat Tire and Billy's Chilies
  • The Original Rib Shack Red Wine

Buttercup Cottage
  • Freshly baked potato and cheddar cheese biscuit with smoked salmon tartare
  • Field greens with Plant City strawberries, toasted almonds and Farmstead stilton
  • Pork and apple sausage roll with house-made piccalilli
  • Freshly baked lemon scones with berry preserves and créme fraîche
  • Chilled rose blush lemonade featuring Simply Lemonade with Raspberry (nonalcoholic)
  • Twinings® Cold Brewed English Classic with lemon grass syrup
  • Berry tea cocktail - Twinings Cold Brewed Mixed Berry Tea with Florida Cane vodka and Plant City strawberry, flavored with raspberry and açai syrup
  • Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee
  • Deloach Pinot Noir

Intermission Café - Nothing looks exciting to me here but to finish the passport I'll probably get something just to complete it as there are two beers here that I drink within my normal rotation.
  • Grapes
  • Fruit & cheese plate
  • Vegan trio
  • Southwest chicken wrap
  • Tuna salad with pita
  • Side salad
  • Asian tuna salad with noodles
  • Caprese Push-Pop - Tomato, mozzarella and balsamic
  • Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria, Florida Orange Groves (St. Petersburg, Florida)
  • Garda Italian Wine Blend, Quantum Leap Winery (Orlando, Florida)
  • Rogue Valley Pinot Noir, Quantum Leap Winery (Orlando, Florida)
  • Martini Prosecco
  • Strongbow Cider, Bulmers Cider Company (White Plains, New York)
  • SweetWater Blue, SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia)

 


Flower & Garden Trip Detailed Plans

May 1st
4:00PM - Leave Work, Take Dogs to Boarding Company
7:30PM - Arrive at Grand Floridian & Check In
8:10PM - Dinner @ Grand Floridian Cafe

May 2nd
EPCOT's Park Hours: 9AM - 9PM (9PM - 11PM EMH)
Magic Kingdom: 9AM - 10PM

7:30AM - Breakfast @ Gasparilla Grill
9:00AM - EPCOT Opens
***I'll set up FP+ for Soarin & 2 other things when I buy our DVC APs
11:00AM - Begin Walking Around The Lagoon for Outdoor Kitchens
2:30PM - Head back to Grand Floridian
4:00PM - Gym Time
6:00PM - Narcoossee's
8:00PM - Head to Magic Kingdom
9:00PM - Main Street Electrical Light Parade


May 3rd
Magic Kingdom: 9AM - 11PM

9:00AM - Magic Kingdom Opens
***We'll set up FP+ for Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, & Peter Pan
***Currently I'm debating between either having a late breakfast at Crystal Palace or early lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern
2:30PM - Head Back to Hotel
4:00PM - Gym Time
6:00PM - Citricos

Evening will either be at DTD for Splitsville or DisneyQuest

May 4th
7:00AM - Check Out & Head Home
10:00AM - Pick Up Dogs from Boarders
 
Star Wars Weekend Detailed Plans

May 30th

5:00AM - Leave Home
8:00AM - Arrive @ Boardwalk Villas & Check In (I know the room won't be ready but at least won't doing have to worry about parking and such)
9:00AM - Walk over to Hollywood Studios
…Head first to shopping area
11:00AM - Celebrity Motorcade
11:40AM - Sci-Fi Lunch
12:30PM - Enjoy some attractions
3:30PM - Begin walking back to Boardwalk
4:00PM - Settle in Room for weekend, clean up
6:00PM - Dinner @ Flying Fish
8:00PM - Head back over to Hollywood Studios
9:45PM - Fireworks/Evening Show

May 31st

7:00AM - Arrive at Hollywood Studios
…We don't care about autograph sessions
…We will get in line for either "Saga of the Stars" or another show depending on what is offered
…Fastpass+ for some attractions
12:00PM - Lunch @ Brown Derby
…Afternoon will be filled with either shows or attractions and some more shopping
4:00PM - Back to the resort to relax & clean up for dinner
6:00PM - Dinner @ Yachtsman


June 1st

We're leaving early to spring the dogs out of boarding.
 
2 trips in May? Jealous! I really do wish sometimes we lived closer to WDW so that we could go more often. Sounds like you have two great trips planned. We are huge Star Wars nerds, as well, and are also heading back this year for a SWW.
 
Sounds like we have a lot of the same plans so we may run into each other. I have to figure out which night we want to see the fireworks.
 
2 trips in May? Jealous! I really do wish sometimes we lived closer to WDW so that we could go more often. Sounds like you have two great trips planned. We are huge Star Wars nerds, as well, and are also heading back this year for a SWW.

The one thing about living so close is our trips tend to be a lot shorter than those that have to travel accross country. I debated on doing the Avengers Half Marathon but with the amount of vacation time I do have - it would be a 2 day trip which isn't worth it to travel to Disneyland for.

Sounds like we have a lot of the same plans so we may run into each other. I have to figure out which night we want to see the fireworks.

If you see us, stop! My husband looks the exact same. My hair is currently a dark red brown though & I'm slightly thinner. I may be changing back to blonde (my natural color) though but I'm debating.

I figured doing the fireworks on Friday will be smarter than Saturday for crowds, same as going shopping.
 
Star Wars Weekend Meal Changes

A little over the week ago my 11:40AM reservation for Sci-Fi was changed to 1:55PM on May 30th. Eating lunch that late just doesn't work for me. I said just to cancel it eating lunch that late doesn't work as we have dinner at 6:00PM.

Then this announcement occurred:

For all the Star Wars Fan!!! May 4th to June 15, Disney’s Hollywood Studios® will offer two new, limited run Character Dining Meals DURING Star Wars Weekends. Reservations can be made starting TODAY – March 26, 2014.

The First Meal is Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine and it will be held at Hollywood and Vine. This will be a dinner that features Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy, Stormtrooper Donald, and Ewok Chip and Dale. Seatings for dinner will begin at 4:15 and go until park close. All meals will include a digital download of a photograph with Ewok Chip and Dale. Prices: $59.99 for Adults and $32.99 for kids. You can also add this in with the Fantasmic dinner Package and package will then be $59.99 for Adults and $36.99 for kids.

The Second Meal is: Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast and it will be at Sci-Fi Dine in Theater. This will be a breakfast and will feature Stormtroopers, Jawa, Greedo, Boba Fett and Darth Vader. They will also be playing Star Wars trailers and movie clips on the big screen. All meals will include a digital photo of your party on a commemorative photopass card. Prices: $47.99 for Adults and $29.99 for kids.

We now have reservations for 10:50AM for the Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast.

My husband isn't too excited about it but I hope once reviews come out, he'll change his mind. If he doesn't, I'll make someone super happy by canceling my reservation after most of them probably going away.

 
Random May Trip Thoughts

20 days until Trip #1!

I saw this on the restuarant board:

Epcot After Hours Alcohol Tasting Events Begin April 17

Beginning on April 17, several venues around World Showcase will begin holding Epcot After Hours alcohol tasting events on select nights after the park officially ends operations for the day.

The after hours events will run from 9:15 p.m. (immediately after the end of Illuminations) until 11:00 p.m., and are scheduled to run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. The each tasting session will cost up to $35 per person (plus your park admission), and includes wine or spirts samplers and small bites at one four different locations.

The venues scheduled to participate are:
•La Cava del Tequilla in Mexico
•Tutto Gusto in Itally
•Spice Road Table in Morocco
•Rose and Crown Pub in the UK

Each tasting session will last approximately 30 minutes, and you may only choose ONE restaurant per evening. A different selection of beverages and appetizers will be offered at each participating location. For example, at La Cava you’ll receive a flight of 3 tequillas (blanco, sposado, añejo) and a trio of appetizers, including ceviche and tostada. After your session, you will be allowed to stay in World Showcase untill 11:00 p.m., though it is currently unclear what access you will be allowed to the pavillions during that time.

The Epcot After Hours alcohol tasting events are scheduled to continue on Thursdays through Sundays until September 15. We will update you with futher details about the events, including if and how you can make a reservation, as they become available.

This weekend we'll decide if we want to do that & which trip it would fit best in. I think it would fit better for the Star Wars Trip since we'll be at BWV.


We also received our Magic Bands for Trip #1:
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I now have Pink, Lime, Red, Blue for me!

Husband is up to Orange & Blue.

He'll be getting Red for the next set & I forgot what I got for mine. By the end of this year, I think we'll end up with all the colors offered! :cool1:

I have the dog boarding now set up for the trip as well!

We're in San Diego from May 6th to 10th so May looks like it should be a great month for travel.
 
Flower & Garden Trip Changes to Solo

Originally my husband was supposed to join me on this trip; however, with many of the changes with his position at work & the trip to San Diego with his work from May 6th to 10th, he isn’t going to be able to go anymore. We talked about it & are ok with this circumstance. It ends up saving us at least $600 between not having to pay for his food/snacks for the trip + not having to board the dogs for 5 additional nights. I will still be going which means altering plans!

May 1st
4:00PM - Leave Work
7:00PM - Arrive at Grand Floridian & Check In
...Head to Magic Kingdom after getting settled
...Grab a quick dinner at some quick service in Magic Kingdom

Fastpass+ Selections:
8:00PM to 9:00PM: Haunted Mansion
9:00PM to 10:00PM: Jungle Cruise
10:00PM to 11:00PM: Big Thunder Mountain

11:00PM: Main Street Electrical Parade
...Head back to hotel after leisurely leaving the park for some nighttime photography

May 2nd
7:00AM - Wake Up & Grab Breakfast
8:00AM - Head to EPCOT
9:00AM - EPCOT Opens

Fastpass+ Selections
9:00AM to 10:00AM - Soarin
10:00AM to 11:00AM - Mission Space
12:55PM to 1:55PM - Spaceship Earth

Lunch will be eating around the lagoon from 11:00AM to 1:00PM for the Flower & Garden Festival Booths

2:30PM - Head back to Grand Floridian
4:00PM - W10D2 Run of Couch to 10K
5:00PM - Clean Up
...Head to EPCOT
8:00PM - Dinner @ Teppan Edo
9:20PM - EPCOT Wine Down @ Tutto Gusto

May 3rd
9:00AM - Magic Kingdom Opens

Fastpass+ Selections:
9:20AM to 10:20AM - Space Mountain
10:25AM to 11:25AM - Peter Pan’s Flight
12:25PM to 1:25PM - Pirates of Caribbean

11:40AM - Lunch @ Liberty Tree Tavern
2:00PM - Head Back to Resort to Relax
3:30PM - Gym Time for Bike & Upper Body Work
5:00PM - Clean Up & Ready for Dinner
6:00PM - Citricos
...Evening will be enjoying the resort/swimming/etc.

May 4th
8:00AM - Check Out & Head Home to get ready for San Diego!
 
Sorry that Mr. DisYoda won't be able to join you on the trip, but it sounds like you have some good plans there. I'm hoping you will post pics of the offerings from the kiosks. I have less than a month until I can make my reservations for our trip there next year, and hope to spend at least two days out of the week grazing from the kiosks.
 
Sorry that Mr. DisYoda won't be able to join you on the trip, but it sounds like you have some good plans there. I'm hoping you will post pics of the offerings from the kiosks. I have less than a month until I can make my reservations for our trip there next year, and hope to spend at least two days out of the week grazing from the kiosks.

At least the reasons for him not being able to join me are reasonable, especially considering the amount of work drama we've had from him the last two months & with San Diego to look forward to paid for by his company, I'm not going to complain.

I will be posting all my food pictures in here! I'm excited to get to trying the booths but sadly, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to actually eat seeing as my eating partner won't be there & I don't want to waste too much food. With all the race training & losing inches & weight, I don't want to get off the wagon with all this travel the first 10 days of May.

Where are you planning at staying next year?

I'm not sure if we are doing F&W or Star Wars next year - we'll probably end up deciding last minute like we usually do outside of big trips but with likely a cruise & Las Vegas, not sure exactly what we are doing yet.
 
Just Getting There

This morning started early. 5AM Early. Before I could really think about Disney, I had to get through work. It was our yearly inventory along with needing to finish my month end reports. I usually have the first 3 days of the month to get them complete but with being out on Friday and knowing that Monday is the only day I’m working next week, I didn’t have a lot of wiggle room.

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Why yes, I bought all 4 of my different colors of Magic Bands, in case the mood strikes me to change it up

I grabbed my bags & placed them in my car and got to work about 30 minutes earlier than normal to start what I could get done report wise before the inventory started at 7AM. According to my pedometer, by 11AM, I had already walked 5 miles where I usually only walk about 1.5 by that time. Somehow by working through lunch & multitasking, I finished everything I needed done by 3:10PM and felt comfortable enough to hit the road to Disney.

I’m not sure how I got through Tampa & Orlando without a single traffic jam and shortly after 6:00PM, I was able to see these lovely sights!

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Yes, its super blurry, but I have not developed a safe skill of picture taking and driving

Through the Magic Kingdom Gates and then the Grand Floridian Gates & I was able to self park at the Villas to the easiest check in I ever experienced. I sat in the comfy chair at the desk in the lobby & only had to show my ID & within 1 minute, I was given my room number. It seems my online check in information actually saved this time around & we didn’t have to go through any of those issues.

My request for a higher floor was granted & I went up to the 4th Floor to settle in before I figured out what I wanted for dinner & evening plans.

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Having A Grand Time

After getting settled in the room, I was starving. I really need to stop barely eating lunch especially on such busy days, 4 ounces of protein is not enough!

I debated on what I wanted but I decided to try to walk into Grand Floridian Cafe without a reservation. There was zero issue doing so! As soon as I gave my name, I whisked to a lovely table next to the window & greeted by my server, Alyssa.

I began with a Honey Sidecar
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Whiskey in a Martini Glass: Does life get better?

This is my type of cocktail!

For my meal I went rather basic with Soup & Salad:

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French Onion Soup

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Caesar Salad

The salad dressing was heavy on the mayo rather than flavor so I didn’t finish most of it; however, the soup was exactly what I was wanting. The broth was rich and the cheese super gooey. The onion were caramelized correctly. I finished my entire bowl!

As I am officially on vacation, it means I can have dessert ;)

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Chocolate Fondue

The portion was just the right amount to finish off the meal & be full enough. The fruit was really fresh. My only complaint was I didn’t have a fork anymore so I ended up eating with my fingers much to the charging of the couple seated in front of me :lmao:

While the food is basic at Grand Floridian Cafe, I can see myself coming back for meals where I’m not wanting fancy but still good quality. My server was on point & overall super enjoyable. I also had one of the cheapest TS meals I’ve had for dinner - coming in at $31.20 with tip & my TIW discount.

I walked upstairs to catch the monorail & head to my first park, the Magic Kingdom!

The monorail was waiting upstairs so I had no problem arriving quickly to the my first destination:

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Yes ;) I had to trade in my DVC PAP Voucher for a real pass! The wait wasn’t long & the transaction went smoothly.

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They also weren’t out of the perk booklet like they have been the last 3 times I got an annual pass! :cool1:

I entered the Magic Kingdom & was going to head towards New Fantasyland to try to catch some pictures of the new Mine Train...

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Hmmm...looks like my plans were going to change...

 
I am here...of course I want to hear about the crazy early morning running and the cupcakes!
 

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