A Salute to Food & Wine but Mostly Wine..12/21 FINAL THOUGHTS...a Solo Trip Adventure

[Lady Lallie]

GO MARC!!! Great job! Puhleeze start it tomorrow?! Help a sistah with her Sunday dread?

I will start it tomorrow.

 

[cdotla]

I love, love, love your Illuminations picture.

Super cool! (Although I fear that phrase is super-uncool! LOL!)

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Speaking of PTR's, I can't hold it in any longer. I started my December PTR.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28616479&postcount=1


Hopefully I can balance finishing this up w/ the planning for the next trip. An embarassment of riches, I know!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I love, love, love your Illuminations picture.

Super cool! (Although I fear that phrase is super-uncool! LOL!)

Thanks so much. I wish I could say that I meant to do that or used some complicated photography pro method.... really it was leaning against a bench, eating fries, drinking champagne and pulling out the point and shoot with one hand. Definitely a happy accident! I like how it came out too!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Glad Chelsea got a kick out of it. Lady Lallie started the tradition. And yes, Charles should absolutely pose w/ an obscure statue. Is he looking for suggestions?

I don't know if Charles is looking for suggestions, but I can promise you that I am! Because now that he has said it, I am totally making him pose with something odd and obscure in June!

Oh, Jackie, I am so excited for you to see this for yourself. Yes, it's a nice walk. You go along behind Boardwalk, get a glimpse of the pool and then it's a walk along the canal or whatever it is. I saw a bunny and squirrels. Not quite Animal Kingdom but still fun! MUCH better than waiting for a bus in my opinion!

I just can't wait!

Lunch at Brown Derby sounds divine -- I laughed about your comment with the wine -- right there with ya! I wouldn't know the difference, but I sure enjoy it!

See, you perfectly illustrated why I think if we can we will be adding park hoppers to our tickets -- I want to walk over to World Showcase (only five minutes -- really???) and get champagne in the evenings!!!

Headed over to check out your new PTR!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I don't know if Charles is looking for suggestions, but I can promise you that I am! Because now that he has said it, I am totally making him pose with something odd and obscure in June!



I just can't wait!

Lunch at Brown Derby sounds divine -- I laughed about your comment with the wine -- right there with ya! I wouldn't know the difference, but I sure enjoy it!

See, you perfectly illustrated why I think if we can we will be adding park hoppers to our tickets -- I want to walk over to World Showcase (only five minutes -- really???) and get champagne in the evenings!!!

Headed over to check out your new PTR!

OMG! Yes. Its' < 5min and SO WORTH IT. The queue to enter thru the international gateway was never really crowded while I was there. In fact I'd get "annoyed " when there were 2 people in line ahead of me. Trust me. You'll LOVE it!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

OMG! Yes. Its' < 5min and SO WORTH IT. The queue to enter thru the international gateway was never really crowded while I was there. In fact I'd get "annoyed " when there were 2 people in line ahead of me. Trust me. You'll LOVE it!!

Everytime I see a picture of the International Gateway I make Charles look at it as I excitedly say, "Look, we can enter through there!!!"

 

[julezdisney]

Hello, Christine! I'm Julia. I LOVE your TR- you take some awesome pictures! I jumped into your report on your arrival day, so I'm not sure if I missed anything important, but it's all flowing well, so I dont think so!

Pssst....Can I steal some for my scrapbook that I neglected to take?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hello, Christine! I'm Julia. I LOVE your TR- you take some awesome pictures! I jumped into your report on your arrival day, so I'm not sure if I missed anything important, but it's all flowing well, so I dont think so!

Pssst....Can I steal some for my scrapbook that I neglected to take?

Hi Julia!! Steal away!! Nope... don't think you've missed anything important. Glad to have you onboard!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Now who's the updating machine????

2 in one day AND a new PTR!! Woohoo! I'm glad my TR is almost done... I'll need the free time to keep up with all yours

OK...comments in rather random order!

Stop selling yourself short! Those nighttime pictures are GREAT!!! I don't care if they were on purpose or by accident... they are WONDERFUL!! I'm very jealous BTW My nite pics usually stink.

Yummmmm I think I'm sold on Brown Derby... it's on the "list"
I think I'll be adding GFC too... you're right, I have been hearing wonderful reports about there too

Wine: I know nothing... if it tastes like grape juice I'm happy I think I'll need you to give me some lessons.....

Love the Pigs in Space pic!! I can't believe I've never noticed that before I need to be more observant!

Nice that you got to meet up with friends for a couple hours

Where did you buy your "excellent and authentic" fries

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Now who's the updating machine????

2 in one day AND a new PTR!! Woohoo! I'm glad my TR is almost done... I'll need the free time to keep up with all yours

OK...comments in rather random order!

Stop selling yourself short! Those nighttime pictures are GREAT!!! I don't care if they were on purpose or by accident... they are WONDERFUL!! I'm very jealous BTW My nite pics usually stink.

Yummmmm I think I'm sold on Brown Derby... it's on the "list"
I think I'll be adding GFC too... you're right, I have been hearing wonderful reports about there too

Wine: I know nothing... if it tastes like grape juice I'm happy I think I'll need you to give me some lessons.....

Love the Pigs in Space pic!! I can't believe I've never noticed that before I need to be more observant!

Nice that you got to meet up with friends for a couple hours

Where did you buy your "excellent and authentic" fries

I am in a Disney mood today!!

Thanks for the compliments re: the photos. Yours are so amazing I take this as high praise!

Brown Derby is awesome. Definitely worth working into future plans!

"Pigs In Space..." I almost didn't notice but I was toward the end of the group. And that was one of my favorite segments of the Muppet Show. There is tons of stuff in the Muppets pre-show area. Have you see "a net full of jello" / aka Annette Funnicello?

Got the fries at the fish and chips stand in the UK. Yummy!

 

[wasabi girl]

Hi I am living vicariously through your TR. I've been thinking of a solo trip myself...you are making it sound pretty awesome. And FW seems like a great time to "make it so"...Thanks for writing!

 

[MomofCKJ]

All caught up! I guess I needed a Sunday morning with Grumpy still on a business trip and the kids doing who knows what alone downstairs to catch up with my friends!

Love your pics, esp that last night one at Illuminations! It looks so cool!

Have never been to BD but you have now put it on my list. It sounds wonderful!

Glad you got to meet up with a friend. I think that is nice during a solo trip, a little break in the middle!

Your trip sounds great. You are really selling the Boardwalk area too. How convenient it is! It really sounds like the perfect location!

So enjoying hearing about your travels!

Allyson

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hi I am living vicariously through your TR. I've been thinking of a solo trip myself...you are making it sound pretty awesome. And FW seems like a great time to "make it so"...Thanks for writing!

Welcome! Thanks for reading along!! I loved the solo trip and I do think that F&W is the perfect time to make it so. F&W in and of itself is reason enough but there's the added bonus of all the Halloween decorations over at MK, the Halloween party and although I had a cloudy day and a rainy day it's generally a nice time of year weather-wise.

All caught up! I guess I needed a Sunday morning with Grumpy still on a business trip and the kids doing who knows what alone downstairs to catch up with my friends!

Love your pics, esp that last night one at Illuminations! It looks so cool!

Have never been to BD but you have now put it on my list. It sounds wonderful!

Glad you got to meet up with a friend. I think that is nice during a solo trip, a little break in the middle!

Your trip sounds great. You are really selling the Boardwalk area too. How convenient it is! It really sounds like the perfect location!

So enjoying hearing about your travels!

Allyson

Thanks! Yes, you must try HBD. I'll also say that for both the Oct and upcoming Dec trips I made the HBD ADRs well after the 180 day window was open so for whatever reason it doesn't seem to fill up as fast. I wonder if Disney will put me on commission...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Another happy day dawned at Disney. I slept in ‘til 9 or 9:30 and anxiously threw open the curtains to see…SUNSHINE!!!!! Yippee!! The plan today called for an MK morning, lunch at San Angel Inn, an afternoon pool break and then dinner and shopping at Downtown Disney.

The actual. Since it was already ~10:30 by the time I was ready to head out I decided there wasn’t enough time to get to MK and back for the 12 noon Mexico ADR so I just took the now very familiar route into World Showcase. I have always liked Epcot and specifically World Showcase but I really fell in love with it on this trip. I could go every day (and did except for one day!), see something new and just have a great time.

Since it was before 11 I walked past England and Canada and headed into Future World just enjoying the sunshine.

Soon it was time for my ADR. I just love the Mexico pavilion. So beautiful. It was 12 noon on Saturday and the restaurant was EMPTY! A family of four was in front of me and were seated immediately without ADR’s!! I checked in. The hostess was very nice but clearly confused by me. She called a colleague over. Here’s how the conversation went (en espanol—high school Spanish does come in handy!!)

Hostess #1: this woman has an ADR but she’s just one
Hostess #2: just one???
#1: yes, just one. What do we do?
#2: I don’t know. I’ve never seen this.
They call over a 3rd host.
#1 and #2: what kind of table do we give someone who is all by herself?​

Thankfully this guy didn’t seem to think it was a big deal and circled a table on their little map and signaled another host to seat me. So off we went… to probably one of the worst tables in the restaurant. It was off to the side with an obstructed view of pretty much everything. Now, to be fair, there aren’t a lot of tables for two in the restaurant. But it also wasn’t full and there were parties of two seated at tables for four. I considered saying something but decided against it. Now I wish I had but I guess I was just feeling self conscious.

My waitress was great. She brought me over the chips and salsa and I ordered a side of guacamole and a margarita to go with while I perused the menu. Let me say that the guacamole is excellent! It’s creamy but chunky and just delicious!!

San Angel has recently updated its lunch and dinner menus. I was something less than impressed.

I ordered the Tacos al Pastor and they were ok. I thought the pork was a bit dry but liked the pineapple salsa and added some guacamole. Overall, love the atmosphere (even with the table I was assigned), and the margarita and guacamole get an A+. But the rest … meh.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oh, I am sad that you were meh about San Angel. I can't believe they talked like that in front of you. That would have made me angry! It's not freaking rocket science!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh, I am sad that you were meh about San Angel. I can't believe they talked like that in front of you. That would have made me angry! It's not freaking rocket science!

I was kinda sad too. I ate there back in 2006 and really liked it. I'm sure they had no idea I understood Spanish when they were speaking. And I think they were genuinely confused by it. I'd still recommend that you try it. Hey- if all you get out of it is a good margarita and some chips and guacamole it's still a good day, in my book! And the atmosphere is very romantical... if you're not by yourself.

 

[nts4wdw]

Love your pictures! You got two of my favorite places, the garden behind the tea shop in UK and the little cottage in Canada. The kids call that "Mom's house." I've always wanted to live there!!

Sorry about the bad table and the rude CMs! I don't see where it is all that confusing to seat one person. Chuck and I haven't eaten there since 1989. I want to go back, but I'm not sure.

Good update!!

PS. Can you tell I'm on the couch with a hurt knee? I don't think I've posted this much all week!!

 

[kschafer]

Wow, 4 updates in 3 days! You rock

I this picture. Very nice!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Love love love the WS pics!! Especially the Canada one of the 'castle' and le Cellier... but they were all very good

I don't know why the CMs at San Angel would assume you didn't speak any Spanish? Really, it's practically a 2nd national language! Most people I know have at least a little understanding... maybe not enough to follow the whole conversation, but shucks even preschoolers can pick out "UNO" thanks to Dora the Explorer!!!

I would have had a very hard time NOT answering them in Spanish... when they seated me

Well evn though your day hasn't gone as planned so far, it sounds nice and still time to get on track