In 2006, while watching Spectromagic on Main St., I'd happened to glance over and see some folks eating dinner on a porch, calmly chowing down while the parade went by.
How cool would that be? I thought. If you're gonna sit around watching a parade instead of going on rides, you might as well have some food. So, with that in mind, I had made a 7:00 p.m. ADR at Tony's. The plan was to ask for a porch table and then watch the Main St. Electrical Parade go by at 8:00.
We had a little time to kill before 7, so we wandered a bit. Julie ended up in the tunnel under the train station, checking out the retro posters for some of the attractions. They are pretty cool, so I thought I'd share them here.
Do they sell these anywhere? I bet they'd make a killing if they did.
We went up to the desk to check in, and I asked for a table on the porch. The CM behind the counter gave me a world-weary look, as if to say, "Well, duh. Do you really think you're the first guest in the history of Walt Disney World to think of that idea? We have hundreds of guests and 5 tables out there. Do the math, Einstein." But she nicely told me she'd try.
So we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Then we got up and moved to a different spot in the adjacent gift shop to wait some more. By this time, the boys were crawling all over each other in an alcove between shelves filled with tiny, expensive Disney figurines and collectibles. I had visions of snow globes crashing to the floor off the shelves, followed by me issuing an order of, "Quick! Let's get out of here before somebody sees us!" Thankfully, we were finally buzzed and brought to our table...
...in the room behind the porch. Oh, anonymous lady at the counter. You broke my heart.
You broke my heart! Oh well. They did their best to at least help us see the parade, if not hear it.
This was our first time eating at Tony's. It's another one that gets somewhat of a bad rap here on the boards. The reviews I've seen have been mixed at best. We thought it was beautiful inside, and appreciated the understated Lady & the Tramp theme.
So, how's the Italian food in this restaurant? Well, once again, I have no idea where the complaints come from. I had the chicken parmesan and really enjoyed it. I can't remember what everyone else had, but we all thought the meal was very tasty. Is the menu more "Americanized" Italian food rather than authentic? Maybe. I wouldn't know. All I care about is, "does it taste good?" And yes, this tasted plenty good. I'd go back.
Dave seemed to take the Lady & the Tramp theme a bit too literally.
There was definitely a romantic feel to the place. The fountain, dim lighting, and dark wood features gave a subtle warm tone. Light opera played over the speakers. I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don't want to know. Some things are best left unsaid. I'd like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can't be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it.
Taking my cue from Dave, I found a piece of Julie's spaghetti and tried to lead her in a lovely re-enactment of the famous Lady & the Tramp scene.
Julie turned, and looked deep into my eyes. I gave her my best smoldering gaze. She inhaled sharply, captivated by the sight before her. She leaned in close, drawn inexorably forward.
Then she smacked me in the back of the head and said, "Eat your own @$#% pasta. I've been on my feet all day and I'm starving. And don't let food trail out of your mouth; it's pretty nasty."
Ah.... amore.
The Main Street Electrical Parade began, and the kids wandered up to the door to the porch to see if they could stand and watch. A CM politely told them they weren't allowed to stand there. It was disappointing, but I could see why--if I had a table out there, I wouldn't want to be crowded by other people, either. So, we had to content ourselves with watching from the dining room. It wasn't the greatest view, but it was still kinda cool eating and seeing the floats go by at the same time. Here's Pete and his dragon:
Soon, dinner was over and we were settling up the check. As we left, I told Julie to leave the gun, and take the cannoli.
We spilled out into the Town Square and hung out until Wishes started. We watched the fireworks, and then wandered to the bus line, beating the crowds. Then we rode back to POR, and the melancholy end-of-vacation feeling began to set in. All 6 days of admission to the parks had been used up. We'd be packing up that evening. The Magical Express envelope was there on our door, saying pickup time was 11:30 the next morning. Somehow, the 7 days we'd spent there felt like 3. How come my work week never flies by like that? The office would be better if it was Disney World.
Coming Up Next: Our final bit of fun, and the trip home.
And at dinner, we realize we are definitely not in Disney World anymore.
I wouldn't be caught dead hanging out with my parents in those years, but that quickly changed when I graduated high school and went away to college, then I really missed them and their wallets
One thing for sure: they won't be missing my empty wallet anytime soon.
I know this......so I scrolled ahead.....and, yep, the guys beat me to them. 
But I also had to re-evaluate my movie viewing.....why is it I was so confident on what are typical "guy-movies". Of course, the Godfathers and Shawshank are classic movies.....but supposedly so is Steel Magnolias and I couldn't tell you one thing from that. 
