9 Days of Princess Hair - a June 2010 trip report - update 9/24 the drive home

[ksl5f123]

Your date night sounded awesome, and bluezoo sounds like the perfect place to spend it.

bluezoo was GREAT! While there were a few kids in there, it was definitely more "adult" than anywhere else we ate. I really enjoyed it!

Your pics from Chef Mickey's are too cute...I love the one of your son with his cupcake.

He really enjoyed having a cupcake for breakfast. DS is an icing eater. He is the first of my kids to be like that - only eats the icing, not the cake. It makes for cuter pictures.

What a neat idea to have Minnie sign the stuffie...that's an awesome souvenier idea.

It was actually Daisy's idea when we ate at Tusker house. The girls loved it and it made my $12 Disney store purchases extra special!

 

[ksl5f123]

I just realized that I never posted my response to you! Sorry

Wow that is some amazing mousekeeping! I am impressed! I love when they do stuff like that, it just makes me happy. Every trip I intend on tipping, and every trip I forget. Maybe I will do better this time!

I love it too. It makes even staying in a hotel room into something extra special.

I am obsessive about the tipping. My first job was as a motel housekeeper the summer after high school until I went to college that fall. I was just saving some money so I could go out with friends. It was hard work (and sometimes rather nasty). Almost all of my co-workers were single moms who did housekeeping from 6 AM to noon and then went to a 2nd job. It was definitely one of those jobs that made me appreciate that I was starting college in a few months.

That's pretty cool that your FIL had a great talk with the mousekeeper. I'm sure that is rare that they get to talk to people, so I'm sure it made her day!

She was really friendly!! She and FIL certainly bonded by the end of the week.

 

[ksl5f123]

bluezoo sounds good! As I read your report, i started plotting if i could ever get DH back and have a date night!!

Date night, date night, date night!!! And you don't even need babysitters - do it!!! bluezoo is VERY yummy!

We ate at Chef Mickey's for breakfast too! Your pictures are so cute! A cupcake at Disney at 7:30am has to be one of the best ways to celebrate a birthday!!

I thought the characters here were pretty good. Not as rushed as I expected. DS loved that cupcake! I think him having it also helped the characters to remember to go to him too. In most of our character dining, the girls and nephews would run to the characters, but DS would be left out. I was happy to get him in most of our pictures that day!

 

[ksl5f123]

Mass at the Poly was nice, wasn't it? It's a shame that they don't do that anymore!

It was great! We only got to take advantage of it once - I think in 2000, but it was wonderful to not have to leave Disney property. I understand why they quit, but I miss it.

Your date night sounds great! I would have panicked being "lost" and not finding the restaurant, but I'm like that. It sounds like you had a great time! I wish you had just snuck pictures of your food though, it sounds amazing!

I was starting to panic a little. We had left with so much time to spare and we needed every minute of it! I regret not taking pictures. The food was beautiful!

That's classic parenthood, that you just decided to go back to the hotel and go to sleep. Makes us all a little boring and a lot tired.

Crazy, isn't it? Back when every night was "date night" we could go and go. Now, that we only get the chance 2-3 times a year we crash right after supper.

I love the pictures at Chef Mickeys! So cute that Minnie signed "her own" foot. I think that's really cute. Do the signatures turn out okay that way, or are they just all blurry?

Cute pictures, and I bet your DS enjoyed that cupcake bright and early in the morning!

Thanks! I enjoyed Chef Mickeys a lot! It isn't a place that I have to do every time, but I would go back. Minnie is currently taking a nap with DS, but here is a picture of Daisy's signature

 

[ksl5f123]

After eating some good food at Chef Mickey's and meeting the characters, our server brought us the check. I asked her to please use 2 kids TS credits and then charge our room for DH and I (I was planning to save our credits for Coral Reef that evening – In case you wonder, Chef Mickey for kids = $14, Coral Reef for kids = $8, Chef Mickey for adults = $27, Coral Reef for adults = about $38.) When she returned, she informed me that I had no more kids credits so she had used my adult credits for DH and I and charged the room for the girls! This is when I figured out that the kids had eaten table service the night before. Ugh!!!!! The server was so nice and was trying to do what I asked, so I decided to just leave it, but this means we are now out of TS credits with Coral Reef still scheduled for that evening.

From there, we drove over to Epcot and met up with MIL. We were there before rope drop, but didn't even try to be near the front. MIL did FPV Soarin, but we decided to go straight to Imagination. Unfortunately, it was down. The CM told us he thought it would be up in about 5 minutes, so I took the girls for a restroom stop. When we returned, he said it might be another 15 minutes, so DD4 traded a pin with him (he had a Daisy that she wanted) and we decided to go to Innoventions West instead.

First we went to do the velcro frogs. We were the first family here this day and I think the CM working it enjoyed the perfection that it was before we arrived because she kept making noises when the kids would change their minds about which pieces they wanted. We were the only people there and I didn't see a reason to rush them in and out. I thought this was a lot of fun and really enjoyed all of the different accessories they have for the frogs, but I have to admit by the time we got home the little frogs had stuck to just about everything in the luggage and were just tangled little balls of velcro.

Next we did the Piggy Bank game. This was really fun for the girls and they enjoyed it. DS just wanted to hold the pig which, of course, made it impossible to play the game. So we had a little power struggle in there. MIL kept saying “Just let him hold the pig”, but when we did he would run away with it. So, my choices were 1 happy boy and 2 unhappy girls with no progress or 2 happy girls and 1 unhappy boy. Sometimes it is tough being the little brother.

Then we went to do the Smarter Planet game. The girls really liked making their own video game. Their pictures came out really well and the game was cute! In total, we spent about an hour in Innoventions and saw everything in the West pavilion. It was nice to slow down that morning! After that, we went back to Imagination and it was a walk-on. About this time we get a phone call from FIL, the nephews were finally awake and they were headed to the pool!

It was now about 10:30 and our Soarin' fastpasses were available to use. I started doing some calculations in my head and realized that if we were going to make our 12:15 storytime in Norway, we needed to have lunch now. So, MIL and DD6 rode while the rest of us got lunch at Sunshine Seasons. I got the chicken dinner that I shared with DS and DD6 with a brownie and a Diet Coke, DH got a salad with seared tuna with a fruit tulip and a bottled water, and DD4 got the pb&j kit. My chicken was good (you get a ½ chicken), but I was a little disappointed with the sides. I remember having rice which was overcooked, but don't remember the other side. DH's salad looked really good and fresh and DD4 ate all of her pb&j. The desserts here were so good, that we also used 2 snack credits for another fruit tulip and a strawberry shortcake. I think DD6 ended up eating both of those!

Up next, AAA Storytime!

 

[lindsey]

Just found your trip report searching for BBB, which we have scheduled for granddaughter in September.
It sounds like a wonderful trip - can't wait to hear about the rest.

I am in the process of making DGD a Tink dress just like your daughters.

 

[mermaid764]

Innoventions sounds like a neat place to visit....especially the velcro frogs.

That's too bad about it not working out with the dining credits, but hopefully you were still able to enjoy the Coral Reef

 

[pinkxray]

Your date night sounds lovely. Just wondering did the gate cause any damage to the car it closed on? We have a gate like that at the hospital I work at and I am always afraid it will close on my when it takes me awhile to get out.


Chef Mickey looks like fun. We tried dinner and really enjoyed it but I can't wait to try breakfast next.

I really like the idea of the characters signing the foot on the stuffed animals. What a nice keepsake.


It stinks that you have no more TS credits left. If it were me I would end up just paying for Coral Reef just b/c it had been in my plans for so long. I am going to guess you end up still going.

 

[ksl5f123]

Just found your trip report searching for BBB, which we have scheduled for granddaughter in September.
It sounds like a wonderful trip - can't wait to hear about the rest.

I am in the process of making DGD a Tink dress just like your daughters.

It is always nice to have more people reading along!!!

We had a great time at BBB. The FGITs really treat the girls like princesses!

My girls liked the Tink dresses. They were nice and cool and several people commented.

 

[ksl5f123]

Innoventions sounds like a neat place to visit....especially the velcro frogs.

That's too bad about it not working out with the dining credits, but hopefully you were still able to enjoy the Coral Reef

I have always liked Innoventions. I am happy that my kids are still young enough not to be ride crazy and hence willing to spend time doing all of the other great things at Disney.

This was our first time ever on the dining plan. We had to make at least one error, right? Luckily, it was a relatively minor one.

 

[ksl5f123]

Your date night sounds lovely. Just wondering did the gate cause any damage to the car it closed on? We have a gate like that at the hospital I work at and I am always afraid it will close on my when it takes me awhile to get out.

I couldn't see any damage, but it was starting to get late and dark. There may have been a scratch or two if you had looked closely.

Chef Mickey looks like fun. We tried dinner and really enjoyed it but I can't wait to try breakfast next.

I really like the idea of the characters signing the foot on the stuffed animals. What a nice keepsake.

Breakfast was good. I liked the food and the kids loved the atmosphere. Certainly not a quiet place to eat, but with 3 kids that is a plus, not a minus.

It stinks that you have no more TS credits left. If it were me I would end up just paying for Coral Reef just b/c it had been in my plans for so long. I am going to guess you end up still going.

I was a little annoyed because I plan obsessively and "the plan" wasn't perfectly followed, but it all worked out in the end.

 

[ksl5f123]

After lunch, we made our way over to the Norway Pavilion. It took us a couple of minutes to figure out where to go. Basically, there is a rope to the left of the line to enter the Maelstrom (same building). A CM led us through the rope and to an elevator to the 2nd floor. Once there, we were checked in by a AAA representative and led to a small room (with lots of AAA brochures) with a Snow White backdrop and about 50 chairs. After waiting a few minutes, a character (we had Snow White) comes out who reads a story and then you get to take lots of pictures. The day we were there, there were only 3 other families for a total of about 8 little girls on the floor.

Snow White arrives

Kids listening to Snow White:

Now, as I have mentioned before, DD4 loves Snow White. After the story is over, I realize that people are lining up to take pictures with Snow White but DD4 hasn't moved from her spot. I am chasing a cranky DS1 at this point so I sent MIL to move her. MIL comes back over and reports that DD4 said “Snow White said to stay right here!” I tell MIL, “OK, but I think she will be in all of these other families' pictures.” MIL replies, “Oh, I didn't think of that.”

A picture of DD4 on the floor getting in everyone's pictures.

At about this moment, I look over and another CM is moving DD4. So, to the other families there that day. I am sorry.

When all of the other families were finished, DD4 spent probably about 10 minutes with Snow White. They had a great chat and we got lots of pictures.

DD4 with Snow White:

This is one of those little things that is really nice for the kids. The girls really enjoyed having “special” time with Snow White. This is free if you book your package with AAA, but you do have to make reservations. They only offer it a couple of days a week and about 3 times on those days. We never really found a convenient time – this one was just the least inconvenient. I would do it again only if it fit easily into our touring plans.

Now, this was our last day at Epcot. We were still holding 3 fastpasses for Soarin' (for DH, DD4, and me). The only pavilions we had done were Mexico, Norway, and China. So, what does DH decide that we need to do? Ride Maelstom?! DH saw that Maelstrom was a walk on and wanted to ride again. He, DD6 and MIL rode while I took DD4 and DS1 to the kidcot spot to make a mask. I had a nice chat with the CM while DD4 colored. She had come from Norway only 2 weeks earlier and still seemed a little lost.

When they returned, DH really wanted to go over to China to see Si Xian which we had missed the week before. I rolled my eyes, but went along. We arrived about 5 minutes before the performance and were able to get front row seats. The music was nice and DH and I enjoyed it, but it was DS1's naptime so he was fussy and the girls were a little bored.

After this, we finally left for our break at about 1:30.

Up next, what will we do about Coral Reef?

 

[mermaid764]

The AAA storytime sounds neat, but too bad it's not offered at better times.

The pics of your daughter with snow white are too cute

 

[TinksThree]

I really have to put Innovations West on my schedule next time! SimmerBaggins report sounded like fun and now yours! I avoided Innovations this time due to 10 time constraints and 2) last year Innovations East was a bore! (Really my kids felt it was too "young" for them). I want to do the Piggy Bank and velcro frogs!!

Storytime sounds like so much fun! Especially with suich a small group!

We ate at Coral Reef last year and enjoyed it, but not a must do. So I wonder if you make it and if so how it is!?

 

[ksl5f123]

The AAA storytime sounds neat, but too bad it's not offered at better times.

The pics of your daughter with snow white are too cute

The Storytime was cute and the girls really liked it. Snow White was so nice to DD4.

 

[ksl5f123]

I really have to put Innovations West on my schedule next time! SimmerBaggins report sounded like fun and now yours! I avoided Innovations this time due to 10 time constraints and 2) last year Innovations East was a bore! (Really my kids felt it was too "young" for them). I want to do the Piggy Bank and velcro frogs!!

Storytime sounds like so much fun! Especially with suich a small group!

Innovations was just sort of a bonus that morning. I really wanted that to be our World Showcase day, but we were there at 9 AM and had 2 hours before the WS opened, so Innovations was a back-up plan. I am glad we went because there were no people in there that morning so it was very relaxing. Of course, the entire pavilion is also air conditioned which helped.

For me, the main advantage of storytime was a character experience without a long line. It was also nice to get pictures of Snow White with something other than a table full of food as the backdrop.

 

[ksl5f123]

I have no idea what the rest of my family did this afternoon as I took a nap! I know DH and DS1 did too, but I am not sure about the girls. DS1 actually fell asleep in the van on the drive back to POR. We transferred him to his stroller and rolled him into our room. At one point, I heard him make a little noise and assumed he would soon join me in bed. When I woke up, I found this

The plan had been to return to Epcot by 4 PM so that we could see some of the shows (they are all over by the time we would be done at Coral Reef). However, since we didn't get back to POR until about 2:15, we returned to Epcot at about 5 PM – now with everyone. DS1 had gotten blisters from his shoes on our 2nd day and had become shoe resistant since that point. Somehow he managed to kick off a shoe during the walk from the van to the gates of Epcot. FIL took DH's car keys and re-traced our steps trying to find it. Eventually, it was found, but we wasted about 15 minutes.

DH, DD4, and I then went to Soarin to use our fastpasses from the morning. DD4 really wanted to sit in the front row, but we were escorted into the 2nd row and neither DH or I was feeling aggressive enough to ask to switch. This led to a mini-meltdown by DD4. She still enjoyed Soarin', but was pretty mad at us.

We met up with everyone else for our ADR at Coral Reef. Whether or not to keep this ADR had been a huge debate between DH and MIL all day. DH wanted to cancel it and just grab some counter service (since we still had lots of credits). We had eaten such a wonderful fish meal at bluezoo the night before that he thought Coral Reef would pale in comparison. MIL declared she was DONE with counter service and that she would pay for the meal. Personally, I really didn't care. I like the atmosphere in Coral Reef, but we had only seen 3 countries in the World Showcase and I wanted to get over there!

When we rejoined everyone, they had already checked in and were seated in that hallway that serves as the waiting area for Coral Reef. We probably had about a 20 minute wait during which the nephews managed to lose the buzzer between the bench cushions. Once it falls, it would take removing the front of the bench (the fronts are solid, you can't reach under them) to retrieve it. FIL just went up to ask for another one and was informed “That happens all the time”.

Eventually, we were seated at a large U shaped table in the back of the restaraunt. Inside the U, there were two standard size square tables and they wedge the high chair in between these tables and completely out of reach of anyone. Whoever decided this policy obviously did not have kids. I understand the need to keep the high chairs out of the walkways, but most kids who require high chairs also require assistance! So, this is how DS1 ate supper

This restaurant was full, but no more than anywhere else we had eaten. This poor waiter was just completely overwhelmed. Example 1: DD6 ordered Sprite, but received root beer (minor) Example 2: MIL and I each ordered a glass of the same white wine. He brought the glasses and the bottle, but left the bottle on the table unopened for about 15 minutes. Finally, MIL asked if we were supposed to serve ourselves (which made him a little irritated), but we finally got our wine. Example 3: Apparently, the computer at Coral Reef requires him to assign each item to a particular seat. At one point, DD6 who had been sitting next to MIL moved to sit next to me. The waiter would not give the appetizers that we had ordered to us because the food had to go to the proper seat. Eventually, we just decided to let him give the food to whomever he wanted and we would hand it around when he left. Example 4: Since we were not using credits, we decided to do a lot of sharing. This, also irritated the waiter as again each item had to be assigned to a person. In the end, very few of us actually ate the dish assigned to our spot – we switched everything around once it had been served. DH and I shared a Ceasar salad (it was an average Ceasar) and the roasted Scottish Salmon. It was good, but couldn't hold a candle to the beautiful fish we had at bluezoo the night before. DS1 had the kids pizza with grapes and ate it all. Both girls (and FIL) had the kid's grilled fish. The girls had it with the soup of the day which was the lobster bisque. They were really enjoying it until they heard me tell DH what they were eating. Then they decided that lobster was disgusting and DH got to finish it. At this point, it was about 7:30 PM and we just wanted to leave. So, we skipped dessert and headed to France to use some snack credits for dessert there.

Up next, a little World Showcase time!

 

[mermaid764]

I'm sorry to hear your meal at Coral Reef was so crazy, it sounds like the waiter was reallly flustered and disorganized.

Hopefully dessert in the World Showcase made up for it

 

[TinksThree]

Wow~that is crazy!! Talk about confusion!! Our waiter wasn't that great...no personality and the food was fine so I think I can count myself as lucky!!

I love WS at night!! I wish I could have had little more endurance and sent DH back to the room on our trip!!

 

[ksl5f123]

I'm sorry to hear your meal at Coral Reef was so crazy, it sounds like the waiter was reallly flustered and disorganized.

I have never worked as a server, but to me it looks like a really tough job. I always try to give them the benefit of the doubt, but this was just not a good night for that poor guy.