Disney dangled the visual weinee & Mickeystoontown gobbled it up! 10/26

[mickeystoontown]

I've seen the group in DHD before! They are really fun and get the crowd going.

Aww you still get giggly too? I get like that with my DH too. People who say that marriage doesn't get better and better obviously aren't married to the right person!

I want to see the dresses once youre finished for the luau!

Yes m'am, I get all giggly even after 30 years!

I'll be making the dresses when Lacey and Jesse come to visit for Christmas. They should be really easy to make.

I think I read that Mulch Sweat and Tears or going to be done away with. I love them too. They Play "our" type of music for the good ole days.
I always stop to watch them a bit when I see them

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I don't want them to leave!

Can you believe it? I dared my husband to apply for a job and after 6 months of interviews he got offered the position. AND they met our "no question, we are moving" salary.

I love Star Wars, so I am happy to have another fan in the house.

That is fantastic news! Sooooooo, will you have an extra bedroom if somebody sayyyyyy like me could stay in if I ever made it to Hawaii?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Plop down in my lap why don’t you! Dude, you don’t have on pants!

As I told ya’ll before, when I planned out our itinerary, I avoided Star Wars Weekends like the plague. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, done. I kinda sorta felt a little bad about Hunter missing out on all the Star Wars junk. I mean, stuff. Sorry, hoopla. So, when Disney announced that they were having special Star Wars Weekends meals, I was on the computer trying to snap up one of the coveted ADRs. I know that Hunter is not a little kid any more but he likes to act like one (don’t know where he gets that from ) and I figured why not book one of the meals.

There were two different meals, one was breakfast at Sci-Fi and then dinner at Hollywood & Vine. In the past, I hadn’t given Hollywood & Vine much thought and this would be as good a time as any to give it a whirl. We aren’t big breakfast eaters so dinner seemed to be the best choice for us. And, dinner was a buffet so surely all of us would find something that we liked given all of the choices. I almost forgot to tell ya’ll, I kept the meal a secret until that morning.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we saw a line of folks outside. There was a small check-in stand. We gave them our name and we were shown another line on the other side of the podium. We were to wait there and we’d be called in to have our photo taken and then shown to our table. There were quite a few people who tried to join the line by coming in from the other direction. But, there were castmembers there to tell them where to check in or, if they didn’t have an ADR, that they weren’t taking walk-ups.

After about 10 minutes, our name was called, we had our picture made (I don’t have my Photopass pictures uploaded to Photobucket yet.) and then led to a table that had two chairs and the other seat was a bench. The bench went all the way down and was also the seating for other tables. Great! Not really! The tables were pretty close together with the space between them allowing just one person through at a time.

Our waitress came and took our drink orders, told us that the placemats could be rolled up and made into lightsabers and where to find our plates. Just as we were about to get up, a large family was seated at the table next to us. Not a large as in the number of people large but large in stature. Oh Lord ya’ll, I’m trying to think of a nice way to put this without sounding insulting or mean or the Dis bleeping out the words. Let’s see........how shall I describe them? Well, the mom was rather large in the chesticles and the back end. The dad was rather large all the way around with a belly that would put Santa’s to shame and his own set of chesticles. Dad also had a camera strapped around his neck that was huge and looked to be the size of a microwave oven. I crap you not!

Lord, please, forgive me for what I said and feed the starving pygmies in New Guinea.

Ya’ll, I’m not making fun of these people because they are large. I'm trying to explain the cramped space that we were dealing with and their lack of manners/common courtesy. Actually, they weren’t dealing with it at all because they were hogging the heck outta our area/space. More than once, we were bonked in the head or shoulder by one of their bags or their behinds. When the guy would sit down, he would walk into the space backwards and, literally, fall back. The whole dang table would shake when he did it. Of course, he wasn’t falling back into the spot where he needed to sit, he was falling into the space between him and John.

At one point, he fell back and right onto John’s leg. John could hold his tongue no more and said “Plop down in my lap why don’t you!” The guy just grunted and scooted over to his seat. Never apologized, no oops, no sorry, no nothin’. Heck, he probably couldn’t say nothing after plopping down like that ‘cause he probably had the wind knocked out of him.

While I’m gripping about the people and before I move on to the good stuff, let me tell ya’ll something else. When the characters came around, Mr. Plop Down Microwave Camera Man would direct the characters on how they needed to stand, where they needed to stand, how to pose and even told them that they were doing it wrong. He would then look at his pictures on the camera and tell them whether or not he needed them to retake the pictures. Most times, he wanted retakes. Seriously? Dumb butt, take the freakin’ picture and let the characters move on to the next family! And, while you’re at it, get your blankety blank behind outta my face! Or, when you see somebody, namely, me, Hunter or John, trying to take a full plate back to the table and your stupid self is standing in the way while directing the characters, MOVE!

Lord, please forgive me and feed the starving pygmies in New Guinea!

I’ll shut up about our rude nexttable neighbors now. We found the plates and went around the buffet to see what they had to offer. I have to say that we were all a tad disappointed. Sure the names of the foods were really cute since they were all Star Warsy type names. But, the food was just plain old so-so food.

I’m not sure what is what or whose plate is whose. Just be glad that I was able to take pictures after being jostled around by our nexttable neighbors:





The best thing off the whole buffet was the tomato soup:


Minnie Mouse was the first character who came to our table:



Followed by Donald Duck:



Then Mickey Mouse:



Goofy was next. I don’t know why he and Hunter were facing in the opposite direction in this picture. Maybe there was a photographer over there? Or possibly I wasn’t doing as my neighbor was doing and directing the characters better:



Hunter said that he whispered to Goofy “Dude, you don’t have on pants!” and while I didn’t know what Hunter had said, I saw the funny reaction from Goofy. He jumped up as if he were surprised and put his hands over his face. It was cute.



Minnie came back around to our table after a very short while which made me wonder if they had forgotten where she left off after her break:



Our waitress saw Hunter’s birthday button and brought out a birthday card signed by the characters and a cupcake:



In the above picture, you can see Mr. Plop Down at the table. He had given his wife the camera to take the picture and was fussing because she wasn’t doing it right. Thus, the arm waving in the air.

The food on the buffet wasn’t good enough for any seconds for any of us. Instead, John and I went to the dessert bar to see what was offered. Hunter didn’t want anything because he had eaten his birthday cupcake. Again, I’m not sure what is what or whose plate is whose but here’s what we got:





I ate Yoda’s ears off!



Usually, I can say “Well, I’m glad that we tried that. It was fun.” but, quite honestly, we didn’t come away saying that at all. It was one of those “been there, done that, ain’t going back” times. The food wasn’t anything special at all. Even the desserts were just so-so. The character interaction would have been fun if we hadn’t had such annoying table neighbors. I don’t know. It just wasn’t worth it to us. Oh well, we tried it.

**Up next: That guy’s giving me the evil snake eye!

 

[natebenma]

I still get all giggly when I see him pull up. Awww, I love my John Boy!

SWEET!!!

And one with our 3D glasses on:

Great picture of the three of you!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Oh My Larry the cable guy.... you my friend have me in stitches!!!!

I am SOOOOOOOOOO Glad John said something to rude next table neighbor WHAT A JERK! no i don't apologize!

That is so sad because everything looked good the characters looked awesome too!

and we really want to do star wars weekend one year. But not until the kids are old enough to fend for themselves.

 

[natebenma]

That's too bad that the special (surprise) character meal did not turn out better for you. It is a shame that you had to deal with the rude family next to you.

On the positive side, they are going to be eating well in New Guinea tonight!

I haven't read other reviews of this meal, but I thought it was such a great idea. Disney needs more character meals to appeal to kids who aren't into the princesses. My boys would have loved a meal with the Star Wars Disney characters.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Oh Lord ya’ll, I’m trying to think of a nice way to put this without sounding insulting or mean or the Dis bleeping out the words. Let’s see........how shall I describe them?

Judging from their behavior, it sounds like you didn't need to worry about being insulting!

When the guy would sit down, he would walk into the space backwards and, literally, fall back. The whole dang table would shake when he did it. Of course, he wasn’t falling back into the spot where he needed to sit, he was falling into the space between him and John.

Grrr...

At one point, he fell back and right onto John’s leg. John could hold his tongue no more and said “Plop down in my lap why don’t you!” The guy just grunted and scooted over to his seat. Never apologized, no oops, no sorry, no nothin’. Heck, he probably couldn’t say nothing after plopping down like that ‘cause he probably had the wind knocked out of him.

Stay classy, San Diego.

When the characters came around, Mr. Plop Down Microwave Camera Man would direct the characters on how they needed to stand, where they needed to stand, how to pose and even told them that they were doing it wrong. He would then look at his pictures on the camera and tell them whether or not he needed them to retake the pictures. Most times, he wanted retakes. Seriously? Dumb butt, take the freakin’ picture and let the characters move on to the next family! And, while you’re at it, get your blankety blank behind outta my face!

My goodness, how did you not resort to violence? This is beyond ridiculous! Pretty sure he's not Ansel Adams.

Hunter said that he whispered to Goofy “Dude, you don’t have on pants!” and while I didn’t know what Hunter had said, I saw the funny reaction from Goofy. He jumped up as if he were surprised and put his hands over his face. It was cute.

In the above picture, you can see Mr. Plop Down at the table. He had given his wife the camera to take the picture and was fussing because she wasn’t doing it right. Thus, the arm waving in the air.

Arms up! Now chins up, people. Work with me here. What are we trying to say?

I ate Yoda’s ears off!

Mmm...Destroy them, you did.

 

[wendy3]

Still here! I've been working an average of 70 hours a week in my new job, so I don't have a lot of extra time. I can always find time to keep up on reading trip reports, but don't always make time to reply. But I'm here

 

[ddstratton]

LOVE the Larry the Cable Guy references. We say that all the time around here...

I love your new word - chesticles. Love it!!

Too bad the dinner wasn't that great. Rude people can make a so-so dinner seem not-so-good-at-all. Kinda ruins the experience. At least dessert looked yummy.

Sounds like Hunter's interaction with Goofy was a good one.

 

[KatMark]

Trying to catch up (impossible!).

No pictures of you dancing this time? Then it didn't happen.

Chesticles...I LOVE it. Some people just don't have manners or any common sense.

Although not a fan of H&V at all (one of two places we will never go back to), I love the photos with the Star Wars dressed up Mickey, etc.

 

[sewmess]

Wow - maybe it's something about H&V. We ate there once. Probably never will again because a) the seating is just too dern close together & a huge, extended, multigenerational family who didn't do a thing about teaching their children polite public manners. That's what we remember. Don't ask me about the food because...bad kids, negligent parents (and aunties and uncles and great aunties and Grandmas and Grandpas) completely block the memory.

 

[jenseib]

Oh my...he does have a set of Chesticles doesn't he? I can see how that could make the meal less pleasant.
The characters do look so cute though at least. And I am sure Hunter was happy with his surprise.

 

[MissLiz]

We have never tried Hollywood & Vine. I can honestly say that it isn't even on our "do it sometime" list. Sorry you had such stinky table neighbors. What a pain.

And yes, if you ever feel the call of the islands, there will always be room!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Lord, please, forgive me for what I said and feed the starving pygmies in New Guinea.

You crack me up Lisa!

Sorry that H&V wasn't very good. We have an ADR there in December and I kinda think I should change it, but nothing else is available right now. I liked it in 2008 but I see far more bad reviews than good lately. I'm sure the rude couple next to you really didn't help your experience either!

 

[teekathepony]

Well despite the fact of you guys not loving it, I still enjoyed reading all about it! Your nexttable neighbours sound like the absolute worst, especially that guy with the microwave camera directing the characters. Who does that!?
Sorry to hear your meal wasn't better, but like you said, at least you tried! And the pics with the characters are cute!

Lord, please forgive me and feed the starving pygmies in New Guinea! <---- still chuckling at this!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[amazingact21]

Oh dear. That does not sound pleasant. At all.
I don't know what irked me more, how rude those guests were to you or to the characters. Like Minnie and Mickey really wanted to be barked directions over and over when there were other families to meet. Yeesh.

And I can't believe they never even apologized for bumping into you guys. I'll admit, my in-laws are bigger folks. And whenever they come upon a situation like that, the very first thing my father in-law would do would be to turn to the table next to him and, "I'm sorry in advance if my big butt hits your table. If I do it too much just yell, 'Old man, move!'"
Most people are at least courteous in that respect and try to apologize in advance.


I'm sorry the whole meal wasn't anything to write home about. But, like you said, now you've been there and done that. Something to cross off the Disney Bucket List and never look back.

 

[Chicago Mo]

​

Have a great Halloween!

 

[Marsheliz]

What the world was with Big Grumpy Pants??? That pic of him waving his arm in the air is too funny. And to ask to retake the pic?? I have felt like that before but I would never ask again... I know they have to get to everyone.

I would have to agree about H and V's food though.... We did it in 2012, skipped it last year but we are doing it again this year.. Only because of the updated characters that our youngest will love. The food was definititely not something to write home about....

 

[Gracefulskinny]

How unfortunate to be sat next to such rude people.

I am sorry to hear that about the food, but you wouldn't be the first I've heard it from. I hope I don't regret booking the breakfast so that DD can meet Doc.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

See, we gave oldest DD a choice for her senior year trip in 2017...WDW during Star Wars Weekends or another cruise. I am beginning to think I am VERY glad she chose the cruise. We take vacations in October, because we hate the summer heat and we hate the crowds. So, while SWW would be fun for my SW geek family...I am thinking ultimately we would have just been miserable and cranky the whole time. And one does NOT spend so much $$$ to go to Disney just to be miserable and cranky!

Um...yes, after seeing the photo of your nexttable neighbor, chesticles is a suitable work. EWWWWW!!!

 

[BridgetR3]

Love your "trying to be nice" description of your table neighbors.

Those tables are WAY too close for a character meal!

We've only eaten at Hollywood and Vine one time. Like you, we left with a "been there done that, never going back" feeling.

Loving your report!