*4/10*GF Cafe & final thoughts* Dead Lizards & Deluxe Dining: A December Trip Report

[shannn]

I missed your Cali Grill update! WOW so nice! The Wishes cruise seems so fun! How neat! I love it! AND I am very envious of your photos from the Grill, because I agree it was so neat to see the castle from there, all lit up with the castle lights! We watched it turn so many colors while we were there! I really enjoyed that pork loin and polenta too! SCRUMPTIOUS! And I had the ravioli as well! SO the same meal! Last trip I had a salad and the pork, it is my favorite dish, too!!!

That cruise really seemed so special!!!

I dream of that pork!! (well, maybe not dreams...but it is wonderful!) The view is just amazing. As soon as I heard we were going to WDW for my birthday, I knew where my birthday dinner HAD to be!!

Splash Mountain is one of my favs of all time. I am very disappointed, however, that it will be down when I visit in 2 weeks.

That is disappointing! I love Splash too!

I love this picture - this is so Disney!

This picture cracked me up. When I was at Disney in November, I got stuck on POTC at precisely this spot for at least 45 minutes (and even in all that time I wasn't able to get a decent picture).

I loved seeing the stepmother & sisters up there. The restaurant wasn't open yet, so there was no reason for them to be in there except just to make faces through the windows! I think that would be one of the best jobs in WDW for sure!!

That's my favorite scene in POTC (although I'm not sure I'd like to sit there for 45 minutes!) I just love that dude hanging out with the piggies!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Looks like you girls had some great luck (along with good planning) at Magic Kingdom! What a bonus to see the steps and pirates! No wonder Courtney has caught the "bug"!

 

[praisehisname]

Love it!

I wish that there was something that I could show my kids to really introduce them to Brer Rabbit.

Me, too. When I was little, my parents took us to see "Song of the South" in the theater, I guess during a re-release. But my kids really don't know anything about the story behind Splash.

Denise

 

[shannn]

Looks like you girls had some great luck (along with good planning) at Magic Kingdom! What a bonus to see the steps and pirates! No wonder Courtney has caught the "bug"!

It really was a great morning. I wish we had gotten to meet the steps close up. I never have, but this was definitely fun! And, Courtney has definitely caught the bug! She's throwing out the abbreviations with the best of 'em now....ADRS, EMH, MK, DHS, DVC......

Me, too. When I was little, my parents took us to see "Song of the South" in the theater, I guess during a re-release. But my kids really don't know anything about the story behind Splash.

Denise

I read that they won't re-release Song of the South because it's too prejudiced, but I sure didn't think of it that way when I was little! I need to try and find a book to share the stories with my kids.

 

[DisneyGuy758]

I read that they won't re-release Song of the South because it's too prejudiced, but I sure didn't think of it that way when I was little! I need to try and find a book to share the stories with my kids.

There might be something in the Golden Books line. I'll check out eBay, and Amazon to see if they have anything.

Oh, PM sent on that wine question.

 

[DisneyGuy758]

Hmmmm....that didn't take too long.

Disney version of the book.


Another version.


The complete tales of Uncle Remus

Brer Rabbit molassas?!

And here is what I though would be the Golden Book.

 

[ladybugmom]

LOVE the pic of the stepsisters and stepmother overlooking IASW!! What fun!! It looks like you got a TON done before lunch!! Yay for rope drop!!

 

[Native NYer]

Rope drop at the MK
I think the opening ceremony at the MK is the best. I used to think the one at DHS was fun too. Well, until the stampede to TSM started

Love the photos of the stepsisters and Lady Tremaine.

 

[shannn]

There might be something in the Golden Books line. I'll check out eBay, and Amazon to see if they have anything.

Oh, PM sent on that wine question.

Hmmmm....that didn't take too long.

Disney version of the book.


Another version.


The complete tales of Uncle Remus

Brer Rabbit molassas?!

And here is what I though would be the Golden Book.

Got the wine PM and wrote them down to check out next time I go shopping~

I'll have to get one of those books before we take the kids back next March. I think they would appreciate the ride a lot more. Thanks for checking it out for me! (I think I'll pass on the molassas!

LOVE the pic of the stepsisters and stepmother overlooking IASW!! What fun!! It looks like you got a TON done before lunch!! Yay for rope drop!!

It was such a great morning! I just love MK rope drop, and that feeling of walking through empty queues. Somehow you feel like a Disney insider! (Or as TGM would say, like you zigged when "they" zagged!)

Rope drop at the MK
I think the opening ceremony at the MK is the best. I used to think the one at DHS was fun too. Well, until the stampede to TSM started

Love the photos of the stepsisters and Lady Tremaine.

I love the opening ceremony at the MK. I like the DHS one okay, and when I did the TSM stampede it wasn't too terribly bad. I've only seen the Epcot one from VERY far away, and the AK one over a bunch of heads (and in 1996 too.) For some reason, the entrance to the MK just lends itself to more of a show, I think.

~~

I gotta get Courtney back here because she has big Disney news today!

 

[shannn]

After we rode BTMRR, we needed to leave for our lunch with Mickey and friends. We were on our way to the resort monorail and Chef Mickey's! I had read somewhere that DW adds lunch at Chef Mickey's whenever it's a really busy time. So, when I got a 12:20 ADR, I assumed that it would be a lunch menu. However, I was wrong. Turns out, we were one of the last breakfast reservations. It turned okay, though, since we were both okay with having breakfast food for lunch. We got there around 12:00 and we were seated right away. I've only been to Chef Mickey's one other time so I don't know if all the 1 tops are like this, but we were seated at the tiniest little table tucked back in a corner behind a large family group. They had two adorable newborn twins with who I wanted to steal~ However, it was kind of annoying because the characters could hardly get back to visit us.

I didn't take any pictures of the food this time. It was typical breakfast buffet food. I remember having the cheesy hash brown casserole, some corned beef hash, fruit, and biscuit & gravy. (If you want to see pictures of this food, there are some in my October trip report, so just click over there. They're on page 19. I'll wait. )

Okay, everybody back? Of course, we weren't really there for the food. We were there to meet the chefs~

I took Courtney's picture with the head cheese himself:

and then the nice grandpa next to us offered to take our picture together with Minnie:

Pluto had to have a hug (Courtney's going to hate me for this picture):

They brought Courtney a birthday cupcake:

And then Morgan's "main man Goof" came by:

It was a good meal, and such a great way to meet the characters. I'm thinking of making it our first night's dinner when we're there in March! I think that would be a great tradition to start.

We jumped back on the monorail and decided that we'd head to Epcot to finish our exploration of World Showcase. We had explored France, Canada, and England pretty well before I had a nap attack the day before, so this time we took a left and headed around the circle that way.

Our first stop was Mexico where I bought a small painted cat from this lady:

I stole that picture, but hopefully Martha won't mind. I had regretted not buying one in October, so poor Courtney had to wait while I looked at all of the kitties before picking my very favorite. (I'll try and take a picture later.)

In Norway, we went shopping for plenty of things, although my favorite was when Courtney checked out sweaters. I think it might have been a Helly Hansen, but whatever it was the price was in the $100s and she dropped that sleeve like a hot potato!

We also saw this guy, although we didn't stop and listen to his story:

We didn't really stop in China, but we spent some time checking out Germany and the trains.

There weren't any Godzillas in the train village this time, but I did love how it was all decorated for Christmas.

We walked back into Italy, stopping for a while to watch this guy:

I had never explored the Italian pavillion, and I found it absolutely charming. Italy is number one on my countries to visit list, so I soaked up all the atmosphere! Between this and staying at the Venetian in Las Vegas, who needs to actually see St. Mark's square!

We found it funny and very Italian that the smoking section would be right next to such a beautiful area!

When we left Italy, we decided that we wanted to see when the American Adventure movie was showing. (People were already setting up their places in line for the first showing of the Christmas Processional and I shook my head that they would be waiting that long!!) This gorgeous tree was outside the American pavillion:

We found out that the show wasn't starting for 30 minutes or so decided that this would be the perfect time to get our yumminess for the day~~ a Grey Goose Slushie!

We walked slowly back to the American pavillion because we couldn't take our slushies in with us. I managed to finish about 3/4 of my Slush before heading into watch the movie.

When we walked in, we were lucky enough to be there for some of a Voices of Liberty concert. They were amazing, and I really want to plan to see a whole concert when we go back in October:

The American Adventure show started a few minutes later. I thought it was very moving, and I especially enjoyed the men they chose to speak for America. (Twain & Franklin)

After yet some more shopping at Mouse Gears, we decided to make our 2nd hop of the day and return to the Magic Kingdom. We really wanted to see the castle lighting up close and personal, since the night before we had been out on our Wishes Cruise.

Coming up: A beautiful castle, a stupid mistake, and an even more stupid tiff!

 

[DisneyGuy758]

Reading this makes me remember how much we actually missed in the WS when we were there last. Never got to the American Adventure or the countries on either side. I was kinda bummed, but that just means another trip is in store.

That Grey Goose slushie, does it have a specific flavor? I know, I know, vodka is a flavor.

 

[shannn]

Reading this makes me remember how much we actually missed in the WS when we were there last. Never got to the American Adventure or the countries on either side. I was kinda bummed, but that just means another trip is in store.

That Grey Goose slushie, does it have a specific flavor? I know, I know, vodka is a flavor.

That one is the lemon one, and there's an orange one too!

 

[DisneyGuy758]

Mmmmmm...I think I'd take the orange one.

 

[serrotak]

This will be my fourth trip to WDW, and I can recall little things from each country in World Showcase besides Italy. For some reason, I don't remember visiting it previously. Besides what I have seen in pictures on the DIS, I don't recall anything.

I definitely will spend some time there this trip. I can't wait.

 

[courtney881]

Okay, first off let me say that YES I do in fact HATE that picture! That is not a very flattering one AT ALL!!!
Secondly, the sweater in Norway was $500 hence the instant burning sensation in my hand causing me to drop it rather quickly!!! Beautiful but...NO!!!
Throroughly enjoyed the American Experience!! Especially when they flashed Michelle Kwan on the screen....love her! And Tiger Woods....there were in fact several snickers in the audience And, how much would I love one of those Grey Goose Slushies right about now????? YUM!
Keep it up Shannn, loving the reliving!

 

[praisehisname]

Oh wow, I didn't realize they served breakfast so late at Chef Mickey's. I'll have to remember that.

iComing up: A beautiful castle, a stupid mistake, and a even more stupid tiff!

Uh oh...

Denise

 

[KathyRN137]

Your day seems to be lasting forever! (In a good way.)

And you're not done yet!

I've read that lots of folks have the tradition of doing Chef Mickey's on their first day/night...sounds like fun!


Kathy

 

[shannn]

This will be my fourth trip to WDW, and I can recall little things from each country in World Showcase besides Italy. For some reason, I don't remember visiting it previously. Besides what I have seen in pictures on the DIS, I don't recall anything.

I definitely will spend some time there this trip. I can't wait.

This was my first time to really sit and enjoy Italy. It was absolutely beautiful back in that courtyard!

Okay, first off let me say that YES I do in fact HATE that picture! That is not a very flattering one AT ALL!!!
Secondly, the sweater in Norway was $500 hence the instant burning sensation in my hand causing me to drop it rather quickly!!! Beautiful but...NO!!!
Throroughly enjoyed the American Experience!! Especially when they flashed Michelle Kwan on the screen....love her! And Tiger Woods....there were in fact several snickers in the audience And, how much would I love one of those Grey Goose Slushies right about now????? YUM!
Keep it up Shannn, loving the reliving!

That picture was a hundred times better than the one of you holding the cupcake! At least I didn't post that one...

I remembered the sweater being a lot, but I wasn't sure exactly how much!
Yes, I'd say $500 was excessive!!

I was thinking you'd announce your big Disney news!! Are you saving it, perhaps?

Oh wow, I didn't realize they served breakfast so late at Chef Mickey's. I'll have to remember that.

Uh oh...

Denise

It was a really late ADR. I wonder if that was because it was such a busy time?

Yea, it was an .... um...interesting evening!

Your day seems to be lasting forever! (In a good way.)

And you're not done yet!

I've read that lots of folks have the tradition of doing Chef Mickey's on their first day/night...sounds like fun!


Kathy

Sad thing is, I've got probably 2 more chapters based on this day!! That's okay, though, I'm not really ready to be finished writing anyway!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Courtney, tell us your BIG DISNEY NEWS!!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Loving the WS details!