nunzia
You can't top pigs with pigs, but you CAN top Toys
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2007
- Messages
- 7,544
A friend and I flew in to attend the D23 preview on Sunday (I hate to fly so this was a big deal for me).
Our red wristbands allowed us entry to Buena Vista St. right upon arrival, and Carsland from 6-11 (I think it may have closed at 10 though. We were also scheduled for an 11:15 showing of WOC, but were informed it was really at 10:15).
We wandered around Buena Vista Street and wow..all shades of the old entryway are gone and class abounds.
The following are a few shots of the street, the Red Car Trolley which we could look around in (the old car view is taken from inside the Trolley looking towards Oswalds)
New Conductor Mickey plush and Mickey has new duds.
All the new eating places are gorgeous and menus are varied and very appealing.
At 6:20 we were to meet at the Carthay for our dinner. The posted blog has far better pictures than I got. It is a lovely place place. You step back in time and feel as if you are not in a theme park as soon as you enter. Here is the check in area.
As stated in the blog entry, it is large, upstairs, and has several dining areas. We were taken up to the area right off the balcony. Beware of the setting sun as I was blinded for awhile before they adjusted some blinds. Our appetizer sampler included the Watermelon Salad, an Heirloom tomato one and the Gorditas, which was my favorite. I didn't do well with food photos, but did remember to get pictures of the menu and table setting.
We had a table mate who had some dining restrictions and Chef Sutton came over and talked to him, then delivered what our table mate pronounced as the best pasta dish he'd ever had.
During dinner (my entree got totally ice cold and was still delicious..the beef filet) Chef Sutton talked for a bit and then John and Nancy Lasseter came out and talked about the wines we had tasted. I had three tastings..Enjoue, and nice light Rose which I enjoyed, Paysage, a Merlot mix that was also good if a bit dry for me, and a dessert wine which was my favorite..I think it was the Amoueux. I thought that would be it, but then they both began going around the room and stopped at every single table and talked to folks. Amazingly warm and gracious.
Sorry for the deer in the headlights look, but Holy Cow..here is John Lasseter..and his wife Nancy was a hoot and signed our wine brochure. (Little bummer..we were told we'd get some info on a wine club, but never got that paper.)
We were then allowed to tour 1901..a beautiful restful space. There were directors charis at the bar with names on their backs for Walt, Lillian, Roy and Ub..lots of memoribilia..really touching and lovely. It was smaller than I thought it would be. We were not allow to take pictures.
Our final wow of the dinner experience was our parting gift.
We then dashed off to Carlsland. My only minor beef was I wish we had been allowed to enter earlier in the day as our dinner didn't let out until nearly 9. As has been reported elsewhere the place is stunning and you are totally immersed..you are transported. Just wonderful. Radiator Racers is a thrill..right at the edge for my wuss tolerance, the Jamboee was great! loads of fun and much more entertaining than I thought it would be. I had heard earlier grumblings about Luigis, and we were short of time some didn't try it but I'm still looking forward to it. We really only got an overview as we were so restricted with time, but I can't wait to explore more deely in August.
A++++ to WDI and Lasseter and crew and the company at large for making this happen. It is all stunning and crowds will be H O R R I D.
Our red wristbands allowed us entry to Buena Vista St. right upon arrival, and Carsland from 6-11 (I think it may have closed at 10 though. We were also scheduled for an 11:15 showing of WOC, but were informed it was really at 10:15).
We wandered around Buena Vista Street and wow..all shades of the old entryway are gone and class abounds.
The following are a few shots of the street, the Red Car Trolley which we could look around in (the old car view is taken from inside the Trolley looking towards Oswalds)
New Conductor Mickey plush and Mickey has new duds.
All the new eating places are gorgeous and menus are varied and very appealing.
At 6:20 we were to meet at the Carthay for our dinner. The posted blog has far better pictures than I got. It is a lovely place place. You step back in time and feel as if you are not in a theme park as soon as you enter. Here is the check in area.
As stated in the blog entry, it is large, upstairs, and has several dining areas. We were taken up to the area right off the balcony. Beware of the setting sun as I was blinded for awhile before they adjusted some blinds. Our appetizer sampler included the Watermelon Salad, an Heirloom tomato one and the Gorditas, which was my favorite. I didn't do well with food photos, but did remember to get pictures of the menu and table setting.
We had a table mate who had some dining restrictions and Chef Sutton came over and talked to him, then delivered what our table mate pronounced as the best pasta dish he'd ever had.
During dinner (my entree got totally ice cold and was still delicious..the beef filet) Chef Sutton talked for a bit and then John and Nancy Lasseter came out and talked about the wines we had tasted. I had three tastings..Enjoue, and nice light Rose which I enjoyed, Paysage, a Merlot mix that was also good if a bit dry for me, and a dessert wine which was my favorite..I think it was the Amoueux. I thought that would be it, but then they both began going around the room and stopped at every single table and talked to folks. Amazingly warm and gracious.
Sorry for the deer in the headlights look, but Holy Cow..here is John Lasseter..and his wife Nancy was a hoot and signed our wine brochure. (Little bummer..we were told we'd get some info on a wine club, but never got that paper.)
We were then allowed to tour 1901..a beautiful restful space. There were directors charis at the bar with names on their backs for Walt, Lillian, Roy and Ub..lots of memoribilia..really touching and lovely. It was smaller than I thought it would be. We were not allow to take pictures.
Our final wow of the dinner experience was our parting gift.
We then dashed off to Carlsland. My only minor beef was I wish we had been allowed to enter earlier in the day as our dinner didn't let out until nearly 9. As has been reported elsewhere the place is stunning and you are totally immersed..you are transported. Just wonderful. Radiator Racers is a thrill..right at the edge for my wuss tolerance, the Jamboee was great! loads of fun and much more entertaining than I thought it would be. I had heard earlier grumblings about Luigis, and we were short of time some didn't try it but I'm still looking forward to it. We really only got an overview as we were so restricted with time, but I can't wait to explore more deely in August.
A++++ to WDI and Lasseter and crew and the company at large for making this happen. It is all stunning and crowds will be H O R R I D.
