We went to Trader Sam's on a Wednesday night, around 11:30pm, and got the only outside table after about 10 minutes (because someone got up lol). I was a little bummed about not getting to sit inside. We didn't get any souvenir glasses, mostly because I want the HippopotoMai-Tai glass but the Disneyland one is different and I like the WDW way better. I still got the drink, to make sure I would drink it when I got to WDW!
Hopefully we'll be able to at least get a glimpse of the inside! I can't believe it's smaller than WDW! I guess I was thinking it would be the size of a Trader Vic's restaurant (of which I've never visited but I've seen pictures). I have to study the menu to see what I would get!
We keep changing our minds for our ADR's. Grrrr. Worse than WDW ;-) So far we have 3 for Disneyland and now, none for DCA because I just cancelled our ressie for lunch at Ariel's Grotto. That might be a quick service day because nothing else appeals (except Carthay Circle but I don't think my kids would enjoy it, at least not the youngest).
I made ADRs then completely changed them around after park hours for the week were released. The entertainment schedule apparently has not been released yet so I can't seem to book the Frozen pre-show past Sept 5th. Someone on the DL board said that was the case. I hope so because I'd be really depressed if they cancelled something else during our week! Right now in DCA we have Ariel's Grotto for princess lunch, and Carthay Circle for dinner. At DL we have the breakfast at Plaza Inn, Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans. I also have the Storytellers breakfast at the Grand Californian. I also wanted to go offsite for some dining. I really want an In-n Out burger and I crave the seafood boils at The Boiling Crab...both of which we can't get at home!
Back home now. And thank goodness the heat dome here in NJ has lifted, thanks to the severe weather yesterday that caused our 3 hour flight delay.

I bring good and bad news from EPCOT. First the good news, FEA did not break down when we were there. We had FP set up for noon, and we waited maybe 5 minutes. Although the standby line was 90 min and the end of the line was out in the heat. no fun! The bad, they don't have soft serve strawberry red bean ice cream anymore. Or at least it is not soft serve any more. it is regular ice cream in a cup now. Soarin was GREAT! It is my all time favorite ride and i was not disappointed. i am not sure if i can do a trip report. I have to first psyche myself to do it!
Yay for FEA not breaking down! Was it everything you hoped it would be? WHAT no more strawberry azuki soft serve in Kabuki cafe? I'm SAD!!!
But excited for Soarin'!!!
all caught up! The SW Galactic Spectacular was Spectacular. Although the fireworks is not as awesome as the ones in your video, the light and projection show made up for it. You would miss most of the projection show if you stay in that spot. You need to be in the middle if you can handle the crowd and not be behind a tall dude. Or you can stand in front of the left pillar facing the theater just behind where the dessert party folks stand. They eat inside now and get herded into where the tables used to be set up. the fireworks are all around you but majority will be on the right side of the stage.
I sooooo want to see the new SW Galactic fireworks! I hope they keep them around for a while, at least until Feb which is our next scheduled trip! I also really want to do the dessert party again! It must be cool to do it inside Launch Bay!
How is it almost the last day of your vacation already???? I want more!!!!!
sigh....you and me both!
Love that you got to see Fantasmic and the SW fireworks on the same night. Hope we can make this happen on our next trip. We haven't done Fantasmic in forever and there is no way we could miss the fireworks. Fingers crossed for 2!
I hope you get to see both of them! At least perhaps on different nights! When is the next trip?
We had the same trouble getting into trader sam's so we just sat outside. I'm sure its not quite the same is inside, but a tropical drink on a nice patio is pretty darn great to me.
My thoughts exactly. I have been to Trader Sam's 3 times and each time I've had to sit outside or get a drink to go. It's still nice outside but I really like Tiki Bars so I wanted to sit inside!
Nothing wrong with counter service at DCA. Actually there are some really great options! And I find CS at DLR to be far nicer than at WDW. The. Food even comes on real plates and you get real forks, knifes and spoons, no plastic.
That's cool! I'm super excited. What was your favorite CS?
I can't speak for WDW since we haven't been (yet!) but you're right there are some great counter service places, esp at DCA. One of the best breakfast's I've had in the parks is at Flo's!
Yum! I saw the menu and it looks really yumm! That banana's foster french toast will be our replacement for the bread pudding at Ohana!
Haha he is! He is a good padawan.
Fantasmic is not an every trip show for us. In fact, I don't think my husband and boys have seen it since 2009. I went solo during the class trip in 2012. And I am kicking myself for missing in on our trip to DL. Doubtful that we will fit it in during our October trip and I am still in planning limbo since the status of the Star Wars fireworks in the fall is up in the air (get it?) and there are rumors about the possibility of Rivers of Light.
Man, so many exciting shows at night now. I'd have to give the edge to Rivers of Light and the Star Wars fireworks though. Because you know Fantasmic will always be there...I hope they keept the SW fireworks....forever! I feel like they change them every year since they started offering them and I want to watch them all but not sure since they change them so quickly!
And the earlier closing times at the parks from the summer hours we are used to are really throwing me off!
Me too! I had no idea the fireworks were happening at 8pm, but then again it got pitch black by 7pm so I guess it was fine.
Cute photopass pictures while you are waiting for the fireworks. The darkened theater in the background is cool.
Thanks! They were pretty cool!
GREAT nightcap at Trader Sam's. I hope we can make it there for some interesting drinks and the Poke, mon!
Poke, mon....clever!!! and it was tasty too!
[/QUOTE]