Celebrating 20 years at WDW - Bonus features, A few posts from May, Updated 9/11

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I think it's great you got some extra sleep this EPCOT day. Great idea to order a water jug with Prime.

Nice move of Fran with the Festival pass! Must remember that. Sure does work out for the more expensive items.

I would have been all over that berry waffle like a rash. The food looks good. I like shepards pie I would have liked that dish that was similar.

Lovely photo of you and Aura and the group photo too. How nice to meet up with Peter and his wife.

 

[irene_dsc]

And fI'll of sugar. My choice was the coffee cake and I could only eat a third of it and it threw me for a sugar loop. I gave the rest to Fran.

I had thought you had mentioned not being able to deal with too much sugar at once, so I was worried about that when you mentioned all the breakfast treats! I really try not to let our family do that, either - none of us do well on a breakfast of sugar.

Plus like you say we want to dry our clothes and wash at the same time please. Although one feature I do like about those is some have a setting you can wash then dry afterwards automatically. So leave the room and come back to clean and dry clothes. This falls down if you have an item in the wash that can't be dried in a dryer though..,

Hm. That would be the only advantage I can see, other than the space thing. Although they make the stacking kind, so really, it doesn't even save that much space.

I got the go ahead from Fran to put one on her keys, so we'll see how that works out!

I'm curious to hear about this, too! Dh is always looking for his keys, too! Can we put one on the tv remote?

The onion soup was very good, unfortunately some of it spilled in my basket on the way over to the table. It had nice big chunks of onion and a hearty broth.

Yum! I love a good French onion soup.

The Creme Brulee was more like chocolate pudding with a bruleed top. It was good, but not custardy enough.

No bueno. I hate when they just totally mess it up.

We couldn’t resist another Berry Waffle.

That looks yummy.

The hummus fries were actually made of hummus. I thought they were going to be french fries topped with hummus. You know like Chili Cheese Fries.

Weird. Not what I would've expected, either.

Strange - I've never seen chocolate on baklava! Is that a Moroccan thing, or just a Disney thing, I have to wonder? I generally get baklava at either Greek or Middle Eastern restaurants.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

So I've had a look at this tiles and they appear to only be Bluetooth here with a range of 100 foot. Can you get GPS ones there?

 

[IowaTater]

I don't know if I'll have time to catch up today but I'm trying!

Who the heck am I and how did I get to this situation of preparedness?

Ha! Maybe all the trips are finally rubbing off on you!

Tesla is the #1 potty cat

Oshie is like that too. During the day, during the night...as soon as he sees me heading that way, he's either right next to me or ahead of me. He also likes to watch the flushing and then he bolts out of the bathroom. He's weird.

I walked into the accessible restroom and noticed that there was toilet paper floating in there, so I thought, “well maybe they just didn’t flush it!” and I pressed the lever. I couldn’t run out of that bathroom fast enough. I have never seen a toilet overflow that quickly! It gushed over the edge and proceeded to soak the entire floor of the restroom! Luckily I was already on my way out the door to the bus that was waiting.

I probably shouldn't have but I totally laughed at this. Was that poor lady still in the other stall??

They brought lunch which consisted of a filet, lobster mac and cheese, caprese salad, and romaine salad with goat cheese.

Seriously?? I need to fly with you guys. That looks fantastic.

She had some Recees pieces from the overpriced convenience store which she put on top of hers.

Now that is my kind of sundae!

 

[pkondz]

I must have acclimated to the new time because I woke up around 4AM.

For anyone else, I'd say "no, you haven't" but for you?
Right on time.

I had trouble going back to sleep and decided to take another spin in the tub. I mean heck there is no drought here, so why not?

Didn't we just have this conversation???

Imagine my surprise when I woke up at quarter to 9AM!

Whoa! Who are you???

we were here in the same room for 9 nights, unusual for us!

Unusual for me too.
Usually it's no more than 4 or 5.

I started to fill up the pitcher from our owner’s locker when I noticed a stream of water going down the drain. There was a HUGE crack in the side of the pitcher from top to bottom. I gave up on that one.

Nothing that some duct tape can't fix!

In the shower I had my brilliant idea! Fran is always ordering me stuff on Amazon Prime at home with same day delivery, so why not order a new pitcher.

I find it amusing that you thought about the water pitcher while in the shower.

Good idea, though.

Here I am sitting at my computer (which I never change from California time, just to keep myself grounded with the time at home).

I'm glad you wrote that. I was looking at the time and trying to figure out how the time jived with what you were saying.

I did have a couple FP+ but only one I really wanted to do.

I do that too. Book a throwaway or two to get the one I want.

I did have a couple FP+ but only one I really wanted to do. The rest were repeats or I could also just do the rides using standby

At one point she said to me, “you know this is MY vacation too.” I assured her that I understood, and did she notice that I was not pushing her or complaining that we hadn't left yet.

:lauging: Shots fired! Pre-emptive strike!

No real problem at security, just a thorough bag check dude. I suppose it’s better that they are thorough than not.

Funny.
I haven't finished writing my update yet (soon, though) and I say something along those same lines.

Love this view….



Especially since I photoshopped the offending people out of the picture!

Right of the garbage bins I presume?
If you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have noticed.

The savory beer braised beef with Gouda mashed potatoes. This was very good, in fact I didn't appreciate it as much as I should have since it was my first taste.

Looks good. I think it was on my list, but I never got it.

Next up I had my half of the chocolate waffle, it was good but not great.

Too bad. It sounds good.

The star? The waffle with Berry Compote!

Whoa. That sucker looks good!

The meat pie with mashed Yucca was the surprise of this kiosk. It was very much like a shepherd's pie.

I don't care for shepherd's pie and the sound of mashed Yucca was a turn off, so...

also got a frozen Capirhainia, which was very yummy!

Didn't know about that one. It looks similar to a GGS.

Boeuf Bourguignon, this wasn't nearly as good as the beef from Belgium.

Really! You'd think it would be better.

The onion soup was very good, unfortunately some of it spilled in my basket on the way over to the table. It had nice big chunks of onion and a hearty broth.

mmmm.... French onion soup.... 'nuff said.

The Creme Brulee was more like chocolate pudding with a bruleed top. It was good, but not custardy enough.

Weird. Shouldn't they call it Crème Brule au Chocolat then or something?

The slushie was delicious but hard to drink it all before it melted.

Whelp! Guess you'll just have to suck that puppy back in a hurry!

So pretty.
And Aurora's no slouch too.

Since they had not visited Brazil and Belgium they picked up some treats there. We couldn’t resist another Berry Waffle.

I would too, now that I've seen it.

We stopped at the Morocco kiosk,but Fran and I passed here.

Nothing appeals to me on that menu.

When she came back, she had purchased a “Festival Pass” Essentially it was 16 “coupons” that could be used for any F&W edibles. I don’t remember the exact price, but it was around $110 for the 16 coupons, which came to about $6.75 a piece. As long as your item was over $7, it was worth it to use a coupon. I think she was shocked at the price of the slushie in France ($10.75). So from here on out, anytime that I wanted a fairly expensive cocktail, we used the coupon and it cost less than $7!

Huh. Never new about that pass.
I'd have to go through all my receipts to see if it would've been worthwhile or not.

we noticed Remy with some heads of garlic.

And you caught him mid-wave and everything!

We got the lobster roll and a La Crema Chardonnay.

Believe it or not, I've never had a lobster roll (on the list, though.)

Pete and his wife also got the Smoked Beef Brisket, they said that it was a little salty.

Too bad. You hear so much about it.

 

[rentayenta]

Fun update!

Love the pic with you and Aurora.

Fun that you got to meet up with Skier Pete and his wife.

How cute is Remy with the garlic?!

Mmmmmmmm.....lobster roll.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Somewhere in the 5AM hour after the tub I was able to fall back asleep.

For a second, I thought you meant you fell asleep IN the tub.

Imagine my surprise when I woke up at quarter to 9AM!

Hello vacation!

It was a beautiful day in Epcot.

Sure beats a beautiful day in Delaware.

Next up I had my half of the chocolate waffle, it was good but not great.

Waffle? Chocolate? That's all I need.

The meat pie with mashed Yucca was the surprise of this kiosk.

I would have a hard time eating anything with "Yuck" in the title.

Once we were all back we snagged a PP photographer and took a group shot.

Nice meet up!

When she came back, she had purchased a “Festival Pass” Essentially it was 16 “coupons” that could be used for any F&W edibles. I don’t remember the exact price, but it was around $110 for the 16 coupons, which came to about $6.75 a piece. As long as your item was over $7, it was worth it to use a coupon. I think she was shocked at the price of the slushie in France ($10.75). So from here on out, anytime that I wanted a fairly expensive cocktail, we used the coupon and it cost less than $7!

Oh, man. Disney math can be exhausting.

Pete and his wife also got the Smoked Beef Brisket, they said that it was a little salty.

Mmmm...brisket. Not sure I'd want the pimento cheese, though.

 

[afwdwfan]

Imagine my surprise when I woke up at quarter to 9AM!

Holy crap! Are you ok?????

Especially since I photoshopped the offending people out of the picture!

When she came back, she had purchased a “Festival Pass” Essentially it was 16 “coupons” that could be used for any F&W edibles. I don’t remember the exact price, but it was around $110 for the 16 coupons, which came to about $6.75 a piece. As long as your item was over $7, it was worth it to use a coupon. I think she was shocked at the price of the slushie in France ($10.75). So from here on out, anytime that I wanted a fairly expensive cocktail, we used the coupon and it cost less than $7!

Wow! Great idea! Although I'm kind of surprised it didn't come with some type of disclaimer saying it can't be used for alcohol or something. Seems like a pretty good deal!

Looks like a nice relaxing day. Although I'm not sure I could have been as laid back as you were about getting a late start.

 

[SpaceEngTM]

I am really enjoying your trip report. Thank you for posting all the great pictures!

 

[Pinkocto]

Look at all those yummies!

I can't tell where you photoshopped that photo. Very nice.

Bummer about the Brita pitcher. Great idea about same day delivery!

 

[Steppesister]

Hi Alison! Just hitting up all my subbed threads to say hi. For the 2nd time in a month, I'm trying to wade out of the ocean of behind-ness. I know you are feelin' it too, so we're even. By the way... I have a credit for AlaskaAir.... you never know what might happen in the next year (besides Guam).

 

[EJ4Disney]

Alison, I am loving this report. I am a bit late getting over here but thanks for the bat signal.

Your wedding dress is just beautiful. I love the picture of you and Fran.

I can't wait for more.

 

[irene_dsc]

Btw, a couple days ago, I got my viola out for the first time in many years, and played for a while. I really have missed it! But, man, am I rusty! I was also amazed at how much Vivaldi I have in my sheet music, lol.

 

[IowaTater]

Caught up! You did right well on your first F&W. I told DH, next time we're going to have to plan 2 whole days at EPCOT (we're already planning on extending the trip to 10 days instead of 7).

Oh, I spot a Remy! I can't remember if I asked you or not. Did you guys actually play the game or were you just looking for fun?

 

[franandaj]

I had been working on a multi quote for several days and all of sudden when I got to Palm Springs last week, *poof!* It was gone, so I'm trying to work it back up now.

I still have to get to at least four of your TRs before I will be posting another update for this one, but I'm trying (as well as trying to get the stuff out of the old place!)

It's heated up quite a bit since this morning.
A nice toast 46 now. Ahhhh... love T-shirt weather.

That's thermal shirt and jacket with long pants and warm boots weather. Luckily it rarely gets that cold here, and if it does it's in the middle of the night when I am snug in my bed!

I believe you!

Good thing everyone doesn't like a bath like me!

That's the same recipe I found when I Googled!

I'll be back later to comment on the update.

I saw it and said, "That sounds good, sans the peas." So I found one without them and whittled it to my own.

Yeah! Great photo! That is one giant sign.

It sure is!

Mmhh, love me some good sheperd's pie! Mashed yucca sounds pretty yummy too.

If it would ever cool down here, I would love to make some shepherd's pie!

The way it spills around the spoon doesn't look good. I like chocolate pudding, but with some whipped cream please.

No, it wasn't like a creme, definitely pudding with a crunchy top.

I applaud anyone who can drink this kind of thing - this European is just not used to these slushy drinks - they give me brainfreeze.

You just have to be slow and steady about drinking it....but then it melts on you!

Looks a lot like the first one. were they similar or did they come from the same booth?

They were the same thing, we just liked it that much!

OMG ..... I really love this picture!

Thanks!

Hm, this is something I would like to try.

See and that one sounded yucky to me. It doesn't help that I don't like hummus.

Hope you enjoyed Soarin'. The different endings are so fun.

And looking at your photos ...... I really hope you are done with your house by 2020 - this is the year I should be able to retire - would LOVE to taste around the world with the two of you as our tourguide then.

When I saw you that was my first time on Soarin'. In September we got to attend and event at Imagineering and they showed us the ending to the Bejing Soarin', so now that I have been on the one at WDW, I have seen all three endings.

 

[pkondz]

I had been working on a multi quote for several days and all of sudden when I got to Palm Springs last week, *poof!* It was gone, so I'm trying to work it back up now.

That's happened to me a few times lately.
Man, I sure hope the DIS gets its act together and gets rid of the ads that are crashing it.

I still have to get to at least four of your TRs before I will be posting another update for this one, but I'm trying

I hear you. I'm in the same boat.

That's thermal shirt and jacket with long pants and warm boots weather.

Want me to tell you the temp when I rode my Harley to work the other day?

Luckily it rarely gets that cold here, and if it does it's in the middle of the night when I am snug in my bed!

That's the best. Or when it rains. Love that.

Good thing everyone doesn't like a bath like me!

If I owned there too, they'd definitely run out of water!

 

[DnA2010]

As usual, I am popping on between babying- but berry waffle yum! The beginning of frozen cocktails yum! and I bet more relaxing baths to come (man do I miss those all the time!)
Love Fran's smile in the pictures with SP!

 

[franandaj]

Why I've been so far behind…

So almost two weeks ago I was pretty much caught up and then Boom! A bunch of you posted updates and then the LGBA Conference happened. Some of you saw the pictures in FB. It was quite a whirlwind weekend and here is just a short little update on where I've been and what I've been up to.

We got home from WDW a few days before Halloween, but it was so late that night, we didn't do anything but go to sleep when we got home. Friday was a bust because we had a scheduled power outage for maintenance. The next three days were spent trying to unpack, do laundry, catch up and get ready for the next weekend.

On Wednesday we were actually packed up and ready to leave just after noon and only had a few more errands to run before getting on the road for real. We drove through lunch to save time and made the 90 mile drive in a few hours with only one stop on the way! We checked in around 5:30PM, and made plans to meet with friends at 6:30 to go to dinner. It was nice having some free time because this was among the last of it! Here was our room, the hotel was a nice Hyatt “all suites” hotel.







We had a pretty nice view as well!



We hit up a Mexican restaurant that we have known of for a long time and it was a short walk from the hotel. We started off with Margaritas…



And Guacamole.



I got a taco and an enchilada.



Fran got Enchiladas Suizas.



We called it a night after a short walk back to the hotel. Sorry that’s the last of the food porn as well.

Thursday morning was also leisurely. I woke up shortly after sunrise and I did enjoy the hot tub while Fran slept.



I could see them setting up for our welcome party that night from our balcony.



We went out for breakfast at one of old favorite Palm Springs hangouts. After that we had to pack up and take busses to PSHS for a whirlwind rehearsal. We had five conductors and each one had just about 30 minutes with us. It was fast paced and tiring, but also really got the adrenaline going.



That night there was a welcome party at the hotel and I'm not complaining about fun, but I do have to say it is hard work! Before the party started my friend Leonard and I had a Belvedere Gibson Up in the lobby bar as I was inspired by a picture that @DisYoda had posted on FB.



Friday was a very long day! We started off with a rehearsal that began at 8AM in the morning. I actually drank the coffee that they provided in the room since we are not used to being somewhere and conscious that early in the morning. Boy am I getting old! The rehearsal went for two hours and almost everyone stood for the entire time. Fran had her scooter to sit on and several other bari players found chairs.



After rehearsal there was a "session" that we could have attended, but all that standing and playing made me tremendously hungry and I didn't want to wait the hour or more for the box lunches that they were giving away after the session. We grabbed some burgers at Ruby's and came back in time to grab some roast beef sandwich box lunches that we enjoyed later that weekend. We had less than half an hour to rest in our room until it was time to head back to the rehearsal at PSHS. This time we didn't have to ride the bus as it was a student holiday, and there was ample parking available.

Another grueling rehearsal, only this time we had a break for our chops with a presentation by a transgendered TV actor. It was interesting, and probably the only way that they could make us listen as we were a captive audience. Once rehearsal was over we headed back to hotel by about 6:30PM.

Most everyone had the night off but not the diligent saxophones! We were meeting in the lobby of the hotel at 7:30 for our 8PM performance. We each had half of our sandwiches from the boxed lunch earlier today, and after we changed our shirts to the proper uniform we headed off to the performance.

I was amazed at how much of an audience we drew and how well received our performance was! The crowd really loved us!



After we finished we walked up the street to a little Thai restaurant. We got in just about half an hour before closing, and ordered the perfect amount of food as we only had a small box of leftovers we took back to the room.

On our way back to the hotel we saw this crazy "art" in the window of a gallery.



Saturday morning folks in the Marching band had to be up and at a rehearsal by 8AM. I was so glad that I didn't commit to that group as well! Since we're rarely early risers I was pleased that today we didn't have to be anywhere until 2:30PM.

Around 9AM, I went downstairs and found a coffee place across the street where I got an Americano. I texted a friend that we were going to get lunch. He wasn't out of bed yet, but I assured him we wouldn’t leave until about 11AM. We went back to the place where we had breakfast the other day. Since it's a Jewish deli, I really wanted one of their sandwiches, technically I had already had one as they catered the box lunches we picked up the day before. I got a Reuben sandwich and Fran got a giant cinnamon roll. I couldn't finish all mine and she helped, we still took a box home with us. Plus, we ordered red velvet cake, carrot cake and a strawberry shortcake to go.

Upon arrival back at the hotel, we had just enough time to get our stuff together and head down to the car with all our instruments. We arrived at the High School and all the organization on behalf of our hosts paid off well. The jazz band was wrapping up their rehearsal as we entered the building. Soon our Gold Band had its final sound check. Each conductor had 12 minutes with us, and then we were dismissed until the concert start time.

Here is one thing that really stunned me. When we did a similar event in 2005, Fran and I were the conference chairs. For the band, we had programmed a piece that was written for the kids at Columbine HS, and there was an opening part to be sang by a 4-part choir. We had planned for the kids from the choir at the school to perform this portion, but when the parents got wind of the fact that the group was made up of gays and lesbians, the parents put the kabash on it real quick. So fast forward to 2016, the kids and parents of the band had donated their time and effort to cook us a meal of baked rigatoni, salad and garlic bread, and they even served it to us! It wasn't fancy, but they made they with their hearts. I was pleased to see what changes were made with the passing of a decade and a new generation of parents. Unfortunately I was still so full from my lunch that I ate some salad and a few bites of the pasta and I was done.

After eating the red sauce which we could have easily worn on our white shirts, we put on those shirts and got our instruments out for the sax choir.

We were the warm up act. Meanwhile the Red Band had their dinner and got ready to watch the first part of the show.





The saxes got just as warm a reception as the night before. Maybe even more so!

Then it came time for the Gold Band to take the stage. The organization committee had done a fabulous job in arranging for both bands to rehearse simultaneously in two separate locations, so we were able to have social time free at the same time over the weekend. Except during the concert, but we got to listen to each other’s performance. The Gold Band saxes took a photo.



And then we were "on". Our part of the program went off without a hitch and soon all our work was done.



We put away our instruments and headed into the auditorium to listen to the rest of the concert. An honors jazz band played in between the two concert bands and they were good. I'm glad I didn't audition for that group as the saxophone players were far more accomplished players than myself. Then the Red Band took the stage, their group was slightly larger than ours by about 15 musicians. We enjoyed their performance and their execution of the music was flawless, however, I was happy with my placement in the gold band. I much preferred the repertoire we performed.

We headed back to hotel, and by this time I was starved! Luckily there was a pizza place/bar across the street open until 2AM. I had an interesting incident with one of the male patrons and my friends joked with me that on Pride weekend in Palm Springs I find the one straight bar to hang out! We got an extra hour that night but we didn't close down the place. We were back in our room before the time when we were supposed set the clocks back.

Sunday morning I woke up by 9AM and went back to the same coffee place for another Americano, but this time the put four shots of espresso in it! Woohoo! It was time to pack up and we were ready to go by check out time at 11AM. Again we loaded Fran’s scooter up, while the bellman took our suitcases and stuff to the car.



We said our goodbyes to friends and got on the road. We hadn't traveled very far when we made our first stop, the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Fran knew they had a Disney store, plus my carry on bag that I had used for as long as I could remember finally died on our last trip (the one which I am hijacking with this story).



We hit the Disney store first, only because I got lost in the maze of stores. I knew we’d get at least something there, and I didn’t want us to have it carry it through the other stores, but it didn’t work that way. Bag attached to the scooter, we got back on track and headed on our course. First we had a chili dog and mac n’cheese. Then we visited the last couple luggage stores. I had dismissed the $780 carry on at the Tumi Store, but at another place I saw an almost perfect bag that was 30% off to boot! We struck out at the last two places, so we went back for the “perfect” one. I got this suitcase.



After that we got back in the car and made our way home. We had a great time, but the only downtime we seemed to get was between midnight and 8AM. We were so exhausted, that when I got home instead of cooking dinner, we just ordered out from our favorite Thai/Japanese place and ate that along with our Thai leftovers from Friday night.

I’ve spent the week since we arrived home catching up on sleep as well as everyone’s trip reports, doing laundry, and doing all those things around the house that get ignored when you’ve been gone for 15 out of 26 days.

So now that you know why my trip report has been derailed for the last two weeks, I’ll try to get to replies and back on track with the updates.

 

[irene_dsc]

Sounds like a great trip! Way bigger than the band festival the high school does with the feeder middle schools that dd did last week.

 

[Pinkocto]

What a whirlwind, but also sounds so much fun! Thanks so much for sharing