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

[2xcited2sleep]

Well, there’s something about that last day that just makes time fly by… doesn’t it? The first day of vacation, at least for me, is long and relaxed with all the time in the world in front of you to do what you need to do and that last day is SO far away. Well here we are not only upon the last day but upon the last few waking hours. My flight leaves at 9am, which means Magical Express will pick up at 7am. (darn Delta moved it up by a few hours so I could no longer do the Cape May character buffet).

The boardwalk area is so pretty at night. I need to get better at nighttime pictures. And probably need a tripod- which I really would hate to lug around. Another reason to find a husband!

For my final evening I have an ADR at Le Cellier. I headed over lazily through England. Saw the tail end of the Beatles tribute band. They were good!! Then I was just browsing in the store in England and noticed a back room. I poked my head in to see what was in there and low and behold it was Tigger and Eeyore with no line! I did get a photopass picture which I will share with you but I don’t have my pictures yet. That’s not a complaint. I did a share which worked perfectly for me- it just naturally takes more time for everyone to finish picking their pictures and then when the organizer gets the CD she has to make all the copies and send them out. I only have maybe a dozen or so pictures and couldn’t justify the full cost of the photopass. So you’ll have something to look forward to! Which also reminds me that on the last day I did the Disney Visa meet and greet. I think it was the longest line I waited in all trip! Those pics will be coming too.

So onward to Le Cellier.
I know I posted this before but I like it so here it is again.

The ladies at the front desk were so nice checking me in, asking about my trip etc. Very friendly! They took me right away into the dining room to my table. It was busy but not packed (and stayed this way throughout my dinner). I was surprised b/c I’d had such a hard time getting my ADR – called at the “opening bell” on the 180th day and could only get my last night. I suppose it has to do with people canceling (which I did for other ADRs – I did call Disney dining to cancel if you were wondering). Anyway, I sat right down and ordered a Torontopolitan (Iceberg Vodka, Chambord, Cranberry juice and Orange juice) and my server brought the pretzel bread. I forget her name but she was so nice! I ordered a cup of the cheddar cheese soup (which I’d never had before) and the filet substituting cream cheese mashed potato for the risotto and a side of asparagus. I was hungry!!!

Still no food porn. Hanging head in shame. Le Cellier is similar to Tutto Italia in that the tables are set pretty close together and I was self-conscious(but not as close as in Italy; in Italy I could have eaten off my neighbors’ plates!). The soup was everything I’d heard it would be. DELICIOUS. And the pretzel bread is perfect for dipping. I do not have plans to eat there in December and as I relive this meal am regretting it. Next time! The filet was perfect, mashed potatoes heavenly and asaparagus nice and crisp. Such a good meal!

At the table next to me a couple sat down toward the beginning of my meal and the husband had a dietary restriction. I am not proud to admit this but my first thought was “oh goody! Now I can see the chef come out!” and not “oh that’s too bad this poor guy has a life-threatening allergy.” The chef (or a chef—not sure if he was the “head chef” did indeed come out and in addition to thinking he was kinda cute it was interesting to hear the conversation. They went through every item on the menu. I thought that the chef seemed pretty opinionated (suppose he should be as it is his food!) and he’d say “no you don’t want that; pick this or this” when the guy asked about some things. It didn’t seem like he offered to create something that didn’t exist on the menu but then again it sounded like there were enough options on the menu that would work for him.

The dinner ended all too soon and I was stuffed. Too stuffed for dessert! And I didn’t even think of taking it to go!! Another thought to keep in mind for next time! I used my Tables in Wonderland card again for the 20% discount and all in all am glad I purchased that card. I think it paid for itself over the course of my 5 days and on this trip it will be all savings!

After dinner I meandered over to France for one final glass of champagne to go with my final Illuminations viewing. I ended up standing next to a nice woman who was getting some alone time away from her party – apparently they were driving her nuts! It was nice chatting with her as we waited for the show and then the show was as wonderful as ever.

I was certainly sad that it was my last night and perhaps a bit teary. But knowing I would be back in December certainly helped! I’m not sure what I’ll do next week when I don’t have another trip booked and my most ‘definitive’ plans are for spring 2010!!

I headed with the hordes of people over the bridge from France to England but then broke left to exit via “my” private gate and headed back to the Beach Club.

 

[nts4wdw]

Wonderful last night! Chuck and I are doing Le Cellier for the first time this trip and I am looking forward to it! And I think Chuck is making this trip just to see Illuminations with the holiday tag again! What a wonderful night! Thank you so much for sharing it!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wonderful last night! Chuck and I are doing Le Cellier for the first time this trip and I am looking forward to it! And I think Chuck is making this trip just to see Illuminations with the holiday tag again! What a wonderful night! Thank you so much for sharing it!

I think you'll love Le Cellier. I am so looking forward to the special holiday fireworks -- both Wishes and Illuminations-- as well as all the other holiday special treats! It still doesn't feel quite real...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I like shopping under any circumstances. But shopping in WDW is a special experience. And I think I took full advantage of it! I shopped throughout the trip and bought so much that I was a bit worried that my suitcase would be overweight!

So without further ado... here are my souvies:

I posted previously my monorail "por favor" t-shirt.

Something to hold all of my photos was a must! I'd thought about starting a scrapbooking obsession and had intended to visit the scrapbook store at Downtown Disney but it is CLOSED!

Basin is full of temptation for me. I love baths.

The kitchen store also had a few temptations for me. This is a cutting "board" (forgive the knife marks if they are visible in the photo - this has already gotten some use!) and some kitchen towels. I figure it will be nice to have a bit of WDW in the kitchen.

I used to be very into keeping a journal and it’s something I want to go back to so this was just irresistible. The cover is the softest leather you can imagine. And the green is a bit softer than it appears in the photos.

One day while in Epcot I noticed a little sign outside of the Art of Disney store that artist Larry Dotson was in the store signing some of his paintings. I got one of his prints on my last trip in 2006 and love it so I needed to get another one. It was SO hard to choose. There were probably 5 or 6 that I wanted. But I had to hold myself back. I have a relatively small house and I can’t have it wall to wall Disney!

He even personalized it for me: “To Christine. Epcot memories.”

My furry princess clearly needed some souvenirs. I got these in the Disney Tails store in Downtown Disney but saw the dog toys in lots of the stores throughout the parks and also at Beach Club. I guess other people are as nuts about their dog as I am.

And here she is enjoying (aka destroying) it. I’d say it lasted about 10 min with the stuffing in it but she still carries around the unstuffed “carcass.”

The drunk story! So I think this was actually on my first night after dinner at Tutto Italia. I was wandering in and out of shops not really paying attention to anything. I was in still in front of the Italy pavilion when out of nowhere I saw I think at least 3 different men – 1 uniformed - converge on one of the stores. 1 guy came from a backstage area and the others came from I don’t know where. Well I was curious and wanted to shop anyway so I followed them into the store. I will say they were very discrete and if they hadn’t happened to catch my eye out on the promenade I might not have known anything. 2 stayed in different parts of the store and the uniformed officer went right into the back room. After a minute one of the sales associates followed him back there.

In the meantime I was at the counter falling in love with this purse:

Like the journal it is a lighter green than the photo would lead you to believe. And yes, green is my favorite color.

Anyway, back to the drama. I’m at the counter oohing and aahing over this purse and trying to justify its purchase (clearly I succeeded) when in stumbles—and I do mean stumbles—this gentleman. I’d say he was in his 40’s and he appeared to be all alone. Dressed like a typical tourist – jeans and I think a WDW t-shirt. Not sure where his family was. I had the impression this was not his first trip into the store and he was trying to get the attention of the sales clerk who was helping me with the purse – she was a very pretty girl. I saw the two guys sort of closing in on him out of the corner of my eye and then the uniformed officer comes out of the backroom and escorts the gentleman outside. The officer was very polite “excuse me sir; can I help you” and it was all very discrete. I’m not sure what happened after that. The guy was VERY drunk. Like can hardly stand, words slurring drunk. I’m not judging… I was certainly “relaxed” that evening and it’s probably easy to let it get away from you – long sunny day with all the temptations around the World Showcase. I just wonder where his family was? Maybe he was on a solo trip too. I did think about that the rest of the trip and any time I indulged I thought to myself- don’t get to the point you need to be escorted out of Epcot! Anyway, the point of the story is that they seemed to have a very organized and professional approach for handling. I’d guess it can’t be the first time it has happened. Especially at F&W! I was also impressed at the subtlety of the security. They really are “watching” and there are some undercover personnel. I already felt very safe but this made me feel even safer.

OK. More souvenirs.

I am not a cook. Not. At. All. But I love cookbooks. So much so that I have a problem – an entire bookcase full of cookbooks. So clearly this needed to come home with me:

It has lots of yummy recipes like the cheddar cheese soup from Le Cellier, the fettucini alfredo from the original restaurant in Epcot, the grapefruit cake from Hollywood Brown Derby….

Another t-shirt for good measure. Can you have too many? I couldn’t resist the sherbet-y color.

And last but not least, in China I purchased this bracelet. You can’t see the Chinese symbols on the beads and I’m not sure what they say but the bracelet is supposed to bring miracles into your life. And who couldn’t use a few of those? The Buddha I purchased back on my trip in ’06 from the same store and he sits on my bureau in my bedroom.

Well I think those were my only souvenirs. There are a few things that I still “think about” and wonder if I will purchase in December. Notably the sweaters in Norway, some bamboo placemats in Japan, some beautiful ceramic boxes in Italy as well as some jewelry with ceramic beads. I also love limoncello so I may have to get some of that in Italy… although getting it home may be tough (and I don’t think they can ship alcohol). And of course I think the furry one will need some more toys.

Still to come are some wrap-up thoughts as well as photopass pictures when they arrive!

 

[kschafer]

Oh Christine, I am so sad to see it come to an end . Thank goodness I will have another TR to look forward to soon!! I don't know how I will survive until 2010 except for visiting vicariously through my friends!

I love your photobook, I kick myself over and over for not getting one or two while I was there. I haven't even printed any pics yet because I haven't found just the right album to put them in.

I love your drunk story! The epcot drawing is beautiful and the personalization is an awesome touch!

I had the filet at LeCellier too and regret not subbing the mashed potatoes for the risotto, they sound SO good! I am a huge Illuminations fan too!

Thanks for inviting me on your trip through pictures and I can't wait for the next one!

 

[nts4wdw]

Awesome souvies! I am very jealous of the monorail tee!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh Christine, I am so sad to see it come to an end . Thank goodness I will have another TR to look forward to soon!! I don't know how I will survive until 2010 except for visiting vicariously through my friends!

I love your photobook, I kick myself over and over for not getting one or two while I was there. I haven't even printed any pics yet because I haven't found just the right album to put them in.

I love your drunk story! The epcot drawing is beautiful and the personalization is an awesome touch!

I had the filet at LeCellier too and regret not subbing the mashed potatoes for the risotto, they sound SO good! I am a huge Illuminations fan too!

Thanks for inviting me on your trip through pictures and I can't wait for the next one!

Thanks so much! I've loved sharing it. And a couple more installments to come but for the most part, you're right, it's over. But a new trip starts on Thursday! I have no idea what I'll do after that trip is over. Go into a deep Disney depression, I fear!

Awesome souvies! I am very jealous of the monorail tee!

I'm sure they still have them... You could pick up one of your very own!!

 

[cdotla]

Sorry to see your TR come to and end. But at least we still have photopass, right?

Also, please remember to post a link to your new TR!

Thanks again. Really enjoyed it!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm sad your TR is over. It sounds like you had a great time and I like all your souvenirs. I am thinking about getting that monorail t-shirt myself as well as one of those Larry Dotson prints...I saw them when we were there in May and they are amazing!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Wasn't Le Cellier just delicious? Yum. That's the ADR I am most worried about not getting when the new ADR system allows me and countless others to make their ADR's.

I love your souvenirs. They all look great. Your security story is reassuring too. It's nice to know that you aren't going to be bother and harassed in Disney, only by strollers.

 

[ILuvCrush]

I love the conclusion christine!! I'm sad to see it's over though, at least you have your trip this week

Of course you could always come with me in Feb... that'll give you something to do before 2010

I love all the souvies...especially that purse!! Which shop did you find it??? I may need to go a looking

Paula

 

[retiredkid]

thanks for sharing your amazing trip and photos with us. It was a wonderful read. Looking forward to reading your wrap-up and final thoughts.

 

[julezdisney]

Love the wrap-up! Coveting the cutting board.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, my stomach is growling after reading your description of Le Cellier. How nice to have a glass of champagne while watching Illuminations -- I may have to do that myself.

Being a sucker for souvies, I am loving all of yours. I really like the cookbook, kitchen things, and the pink t-shirt. My favorite one hands-down, though, is that print. I will have to go look at them next time. I want one! I need a shopping trip to WDW -- actually I just need a trip there period.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I love all you souvies! It was so much fun reading about your trip. It really has me looking forward to my solo trip next year.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Sorry to see your TR come to and end. But at least we still have photopass, right?

Also, please remember to post a link to your new TR!

Thanks again. Really enjoyed it!

Yes, we DO still have photopass! The CD is in the mail but b/c of timing of my upcoming trip I think you may have to wait another week or so. Sorry!

Right now my current plan is to just continue the Oh Come All Ye Faithful PTR with the actual TR... but if that changes, I'll let you know.

And thanks a bunch for telling me your DH bought a sweater in Norway. I've thought of little else since in the 30 degree weather in CT!

I'm sad your TR is over. It sounds like you had a great time and I like all your souvenirs. I am thinking about getting that monorail t-shirt myself as well as one of those Larry Dotson prints...I saw them when we were there in May and they are amazing!

The monorail shirt is a must! And Larry (if I can call him that) has so many beautiful prints. It is definitely worth checking out!!

Wasn't Le Cellier just delicious? Yum. That's the ADR I am most worried about not getting when the new ADR system allows me and countless others to make their ADR's.

I love your souvenirs. They all look great. Your security story is reassuring too. It's nice to know that you aren't going to be bother and harassed in Disney, only by strollers.

So delicious! So what's the scoop w/ the new ADR system? When it is released will it have the online booking component or is that a future application?

I love the conclusion christine!! I'm sad to see it's over though, at least you have your trip this week

Of course you could always come with me in Feb... that'll give you something to do before 2010

I love all the souvies...especially that purse!! Which shop did you find it??? I may need to go a looking

Paula

I'd love to go w/ you in Feb but have a non-WDW vacation planned for March and unfortunately not a lot of vacation days available.

The purse is from one of the shops in Italy. I'll see if I can get more specific when I'm there DAY AFTER TOMORROW!

thanks for sharing your amazing trip and photos with us. It was a wonderful read. Looking forward to reading your wrap-up and final thoughts.

Thank YOU for indulging me and following along!

Love the wrap-up! Coveting the cutting board.

The cutting board is cool. Although a little disappointed it is showing scratches so soon. But very fun to have a touch of WDW in everyday life!!

Oh, my stomach is growling after reading your description of Le Cellier. How nice to have a glass of champagne while watching Illuminations -- I may have to do that myself.

Being a sucker for souvies, I am loving all of yours. I really like the cookbook, kitchen things, and the pink t-shirt. My favorite one hands-down, though, is that print. I will have to go look at them next time. I want one! I need a shopping trip to WDW -- actually I just need a trip there period.

Can't recommend the champagne highly enough. And if you get a cute French bartender who flirts with you a bit... all the better!

You should definitely check out the prints. I think his prints are amazing!

www.larrydotson.com

I love all you souvies! It was so much fun reading about your trip. It really has me looking forward to my solo trip next year.

Thanks so much! I will be looking forward to hearing all about your solo trip!!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Love your souvenirs. Somehow I've never seen the purses in Italy, which is probably a good thing since I have a severe purse fetish. I've enjoyed reading up on your adventures and seeing all the sights. Can't wait until your able to post your photopass pics. Have fun our your trip!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Love your souvenirs. Somehow I've never seen the purses in Italy, which is probably a good thing since I have a severe purse fetish. I've enjoyed reading up on your adventures and seeing all the sights. Can't wait until your able to post your photopass pics. Have fun our your trip!

Thanks so much. You should definitely check out the purses!! And have fun on your trip too!!

 

[29apr00]

what a lovely TR, sad to see it end, espically when I just started it!! The solo trip sounds wonderful! To not have to worry about what anyone else wants, a completely selfish WDW trip sounds PERFECT!!! OMG to window show and watch the shows and ride your favorite rides over and over and over again without anyone complaining! All the food you want to eat with no one to give you "the eye". Heavenly! I so want a Solo WDW Trip now!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

what a lovely TR, sad to see it end, espically when I just started it!! The solo trip sounds wonderful! To not have to worry about what anyone else wants, a completely selfish WDW trip sounds PERFECT!!! OMG to window show and watch the shows and ride your favorite rides over and over and over again without anyone complaining! All the food you want to eat with no one to give you "the eye". Heavenly! I so want a Solo WDW Trip now!!

Hi 29!!

Christine just left today on another solo trip.... She'll be doing a TR for that one too..you should come over there...it's always fun with Christine

Oh Come All Ye Faithful


Hope to see you there!!
Paula