60 Candles, 30 Million Lights, Best Friends&Family at Disney--Priceless (New 5/23)

[KatMark]

We made our way over to the new Fantasyland to check in for dinner. It was crowded as all heck and too early to check in. Nicki, Todd and Mark sat on a rock while I went with the kids to the Beauty & The Beast shop. Des LOVES Beauty & The Beast (she was Belle in a dance recital last year) and couldn't wait to see the shop. I had told her before we went on the trip that I had no idea what to get her for Christmas and if she found something at Disney and it was within my price range that we would get her gift there. She found these four adorable "cake plates"--each with a different design. I could tell by the look in her eye that she really wanted them. They were within my price range so we took them to the counter and filled out the shipping label and had them sent home. You would have thought I had just given the girl a million dollars...she was so excited.

(they are the plates in the back)

They wanted a peak in Gaston's at night:

We walked back to meet the others and Nicki and I got in the growing line to check in. There was much commotion as they had lost ALL of the reservations for this evening. If you didn't have your reservation number, you were basically out of luck unless you wanted to do a walk-in which could be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Let me tell you that the man in front of us was really . Luckily, we had our reservation number (a lesson for all...ALWAYS carry them with you) and were given our pager for when our table was ready. I don't think we waited more than 10 minutes or so and our pager went off.

I will now give you pictures to enjoy:

We were seated in the "forbidden or 'West' wing". It was absoutely stunning the details in the room. Our napkin:

The front of the menu:

The room itself:

Our waitress with our dessert choices:

After dinner (by the way, the food was marvelous as was the service...see Nicki's dining review), we were able to meet The Beast. There is a Photopass photographer and they'll also take pictures with your camera.

Continued in next post

 

[KatMark]

The Beast:

Des and Andy pretending they were Belle and Eric:

We left Fantasyland and were going to find a spot to watch Wishes. Along the way, Des took some pictures:

We stopped for another photopass round:

One of my favorite of the trip:

It was at this point, that Todd and Nicki decided they were going back to the room. Todd was beat...we had run him ragged. We left Mark in our favorite spot to watch Wishes and Des, Andy and I went to go do Buzz Lightyear:

We got back to Mark and he was fading fast. We decided that we would leave and let the kids enjoy Wishes and the parade by themselves since we'd be back and see the Holiday Wishes in a couple of nights.

I'll post Des' pictures in the next post of the parade.

 

[KatMark]

Des pictures:

And some of Andy's photos:

After Des got her dishes:

Up next, our last day with our bestest friends

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Yay that you feel better!

I love all of the pictures! Des looks like a happy girl that she is getting those plates! That was very sweet of you.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow! Talk about a mega-update! Good to see you feeling good enough to post again.

Love all of the Photopass pictures. They all turned out so good. When I saw the one of Todd and Nicki and she was almost as tall as him, I thought "how that'd happen? Magic shot?" Then, I saw that she was standing on a bench/ledge.

So you enjoyed your meal at the new restaurant? I've thought about booking an ADR for May but haven't decided yet.

 

[afwdwfan]

Up next..."it is with deepest pride
and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight.
And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up a
chair as the dining room proudly presents -
your dinner!"

Great... now I've got the song stuck in my head.

Oh well, there are far worse Fantasyland songs to have stuck in your head...

You would have thought I had just given the girl a million dollars...she was so excited.

She's happy and that's one more person you're done with Christmas shopping for. Sounds like a win/win!

We walked back to meet the others and Nicki and I got in the growing line to check in. There was much commotion as they had lost ALL of the reservations for this evening. If you didn't have your reservation number, you were basically out of luck unless you wanted to do a walk-in which could be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Let me tell you that the man in front of us was really . Luckily, we had our reservation number (a lesson for all...ALWAYS carry them with you) and were given our pager for when our table was ready. I don't think we waited more than 10 minutes or so and our pager went off.

Wow... I can't believe that's how they handled that situation. I'd have been ticked off too. And I'd have been able to provide my reservation number, but still...

We were seated in the "forbidden or 'West' wing".

Interesting... your pictures look a lot brighter than it looked when we were there. I wonder if it is lit differently for lunch and dinner or if it was just the pictures?

One of my favorite of the trip:

It is definitely an excellent picture of all of you with the castle lit up in the background.

Des, Andy and I went to go do Buzz Lightyear:

Wow... 3 very intense game faces!

I'm sorry you and Mark missed out, but I guess if you're going to be back later on the trip for the parade and Wishes you really didn't miss out... Either way, Des and Andy's pictures were very nice!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

very very cool. hope they keep those dishes around for a while i know candi will love t hose.

 

[Linda67]

Firstly I am happy to hear that you are feeling better

Yet again, wonderful PP photos, I love the holiday borders!

We always pre-order the PP CD and I drive DH crazy stopping at every photographer I see!

So great to have the pictures to look back on though

It really looks like you had an amazing day

 

[eandesmom]

What a fun update! Not so fun if you were a person without your confirmation number. I always take them with me for everything. Totally paranoid, have never ever needed one but I jsut know they one time I don't...I'll need it.

Des is so cute about the dishes! They did NOT have those matching coasters there when I was there, I think I need a set. I have to confess I googled away when you wrote that they were pretending to be Belle and Eric as I didn't realize Beast had a real name and all I could think of was Ariel's Prince Eric. It's my favorite movie too Beauty and the Beast that is, not Little Mermaid.

And apparently according to Disney, in thier version, he doesn't (always referred to as Beast or the Prince) but in one of their video game tie in's he is called Prince Adam.

Oh I SO want to go to BOG. Not sure it will happen next Dec which breaks my heart but I've got some picky eating nephews that it would be lost on. So...it will depend on everyone's dates, if we have some with just the 4 of us it is non negotiable, we are going!

So many lovely photopass pictures, I don't even know how you'd decide on this trip what to print up!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

So glad you are feeling better. It seems like it is taking everyone a long time to get over the "junk".

What a fun day!! I have to tell you, those plates are beautiful!!! We are HUGE Beauty and the Beast fans here. I will have to make it over to the food review and see how dinner was.

 

[mommy2mrb]

so happy you are feeling better Kathy

love all the photos of BoG...we can't wait to eat there on our trip and I know my girl will be drooling over everything in the gift shop...Belle is her favorite princess!
more great PP pics too! sorry you didn't have enough energy to stay and see the parade and wishes..

 

[Nermel9]

Glad you're feeling better! I have a cold now, and while it's not bad, it's annoying and it's taking forever to go away! I'm about done with the winter for this year!

I absolutely love that shop in New Fantasyland, I wanted to buy everything in there! That was so nice of you to buy Des those plates, they were adorable!

Wow, I can't believe BOG lost everyones reservations! I'm sure so many people were mad! I always carry my ADR confirmation #'s with me, just in case that happens! Isn't it a lovely restaurant? I love the ballroom, but the West Wing is amazing too, that's where i'm hoping we're seated when I go with my sister in 3 weeks!

Love all the photopass pics!

 

[ronnmel]

I agree, that photopass picture in front of the turquoise castle is pretty amazing!

Be Our Guest has got to be one of the prettiest restaurant in all of Walt Disney World!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Kathy I loved those plates no wonder Dez was thrilled !!! The pix with the castle at night are beautiful!!! BOG is definately on my list if only for lunch !!

 

[Woth2982]

FIrst off, glad to hear you are feeling better! I know several that have been sick lately. PRAYING I don't get it while I am in WDW this week.

The photopass photos came out really well! THe ones in front of the castle before your dinner reservation are amazing! I cannot believe there are almost no people in them! The photos of BOG are great too! I am hoping to peak my head in there since we don't have any reservations and the lunch menu doesn't really appeal to us.

 

[shan23877]

So glad that you're feeling better!

Those PP pics are amazing yet again. I love the photos in front of the 'iced' castle.

I am getting beyond excited to see BoG and all of the new FL stuff! Maddie and I were looking at pictures of it during dinner tonight and she's already beside herself. I can't believe that we have to wait 5 1/2 months to see it all in person!

 

[amandaw]

Glad to hear you're feeling better!

Sounds like y'all were having a great night! I'm excited to see all the new Fantasyland stuff, especially the Beauty and the Beast areas. The details look amazing. And those cake plates are really cute!

 

[blessedmom4]

I loved al of the great castle photos of the couples and all together...but I am SO excited to see the Beasts castle and let Lisa explore! I love how the Beast is there for a photo op...I can seem my littleBelle looking gorgeous beside him with a HUGE smile on her face. And I love what you did for Des, she looks so happy!

I hope you are continuing to improve and not overdoing it!

 

[dizneeat]

Wow! Miss update machine, you have out done yourself!

I love all those PP pics - might give in and pre-order the PP+ for our summer trip again.

You are such a sweetheart, buying those plates for Des. They are truly lovely.
Your pics of BoG are awesome. We will have to wait until August to try it out. The friend who we wanted to meet there and made the reservation for us passed away the day before the New Year.

 

[blessedmom4]

We will have to wait until August to try it out. The friend who we wanted to meet there and made the reservation for us passed away the day before the New Year.

Was her name Ellen? She was a dear friend to me. I am truly sorry for your loss!