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

[Captain_Oblivious]

Hunter, of course, got a pizza. I swear he is going to turn into a pizza one day.

Sounds like he's as adventurous as my kids.

I had reservations for the Wishes Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom.

Cool! I hate fighting the crowds for the nighttime shows.

What is it with boys staying in the bathroom for a ridiculous amount of time? I often wonder how he even stands up afterwards ‘cause I know that his legs have to have gone numb.

Not sure on the teenage version, but for husbands and fathers, it's typically the only quiet time you get all day!

We were going to the Grand Floridian Café and I didn’t want us to just show up in t-shirts and shorts and stand out like sore thumb amongst all the people in their Grand Floridian finery.

Exhibit A for why I'm not a big fan of the Grand Floridian!

A couple of other families came into the restaurant and it was kind of funny because of the three tables, all of which were close together, there were three different waiters. I guess since the the restaurant was virtually empty, the waiters were trying to keep busy.

It would be really funny if they rotated through the tables!

Hunter ordered the steak with a side of fries and I believe that’s broccolini which he promptly gave to me:

Looks tasty!

They ordered water and they split an entree. AN entree. Not four entrees, not three entrees, not even two entrees but one. It was just seemed so odd to come into a place like that and order one entree for four adults.

After walking miles in the parks? We'd be fighting to the death over one entree!

We took the stairs to go back up and I took Hunter’s picture standing near the railing which had me feeling all wobbly headed ‘cause of my extreme fear of heights. I don’t even like seeing anybody standing that close to a railing.

You're going to love the future chapters in my TR!

John wanted a picture of the two of us and Hunter told us to stand near the railing and I refused. I wasn’t not happy at all when John was trying to scoot me closer to the edge. I told him that I’d stand a little closer but “I’ll kick you in the cojones if you touch me!” then smiled and said “Love you!”

 

[Marsheliz]

LOOOOVEEEE the Grand Floridian!! It is just so beautiful and especially in person... Even if we aren't eating there, we still drop by for a visit!

Your boys looked handsome in their dress up clothes

Stevie would be just like John and not wanting me to take pictures in there.. LOL.. I even embarassed him some at the counter service meals I took pictures of... HAHA!!

Those shrimp and grits look SOOOOOO YUMMMY!!!!!!!

 

[TinkyCheeks]

GF Cafe looks so yummy! I keep putting it on my list of places to try, and it always gets pushed back for something else.

I can't wait to hear about the dessert party!

 

[farrahalex76]

I'm getting so excited for the dessert party. I can't wait to hear your opinion on it. We were suppose to go eat at Kona that night but we cancelled. We ate pretzels in the park we weren't very hungry for supper. I have yet to see the Grand, next trip I'll have to schedule a meal there.

 

[jenseib]

Yay for the unemployment coming through. Every little bit helps. Hopefully it is deposited soon!

I had to laugh about Hunter and the bathroom. Michael was the same way...20 -30 minutes every time. And he was really famous for us walking out the door, usually running later than we should for something, the whole time he had been laying around in his room and then he says he has to go to the bathroom...and of course not just to pee. I would yell at him every time that next time he would have to do it earlier or just hold it!

I have never eaten at the GF cafe either, but that looks so good.
That family next to you cracks me up...especially after I recently wrote about the family next to us at BOG that let each kid order an appetizer for 2 plus full meals and they wasted most of the food. So what kind of entree did they get? I can just see. ok I have cut the steak in 12 pieces so everyone gets 3 bites!

 

[themommy]

I have never heard of a monkey cupcake. It looks amazing! Putting that on my list of things to get on my next trip.

The dessert party surprise was great. I've never done the party and would love to do it sometime.

Isn't the GF beautiful? My uncle worked there for I think 26 years. He finally retired last year. There went our free tickets! Your food looked yummy! Nice sneaky pics too!

Excited for the next update at the party but, something in the tittle doesn't sound so good!

 

[jenn91997]

Really enjoying your trip report! I also really am glad for your in depth details on CBR. We are tried and true POR fans, but this upcoming trip we are staying at CBR (free dining), and I am really looking forward to it. Your enthusiasm for this resort has me super excited!!!! After your latest TR installment, you have me making a reservation for Grand Floridian Cafe... YAY... I love to try new restaurants and your review was so positive. Thanks for the Trip Report..

 

[Donald - my hero]

Put teh majority of this into a PM again ... too wordy and too off topic!!

Just had to touch base to let you know how much you have brightened a really gloomy day!!! Can't wait to "hear" about the dessert party. Hoping to read about your family's plans to join you next year. Our daughter & her new fiancee were heavy into working on crashing our upcoming trip (eeek less than 42 days now) when she realized it will be smack-dab in the middle of midterms. As my john says, "awww that's too bad" followed by a stage whisper when they hung up NOT

 

[Aimros]

Hi Lisa! I'm jumping in a bit late but I've enjoyed your TRs in the past so I'm joining the bandwagon! Just wanted to let you know that DH and I go through the whole "not booking ADRs at Ohana and then wondering why we aren't eating there" EVERY TRIP. So I already have our ADR for Ohana ready to go for our next visit. can't wait to read more!

 

[MEK]

Oh NO for printing out the wrong list. You improvised pretty well. Everyone looks great!

Sounds like a fun, relaxing day and a great dinner. I had the shrimp n grits there in May and it was really good. I think Olivia's may have a slight edge, but still really yummy!

Those desserts look amazing. Yum!

OK - that is really weird that the family of 4 split one entree. OMG - Denny would die. He doesn't even think two people should split an entree, which I completel disagree with.

I hope the boys love the dessert party. Can't wait to see their plates on that one!

 

[SunnieRN]

Loving your adventures so far and looking forward to more!! We drive from Texas and your pictures of your drive brought back a lot of memories!! It's funny how sometimes through Louisiana we'll run into traffic but never see a reason for it, then it magically disappears! Good picture opportunities though!!

Looking forward to more!

 

[ashleymrush]

I was way way way behind but all caught up now! Your food at GF Cafe looks so good. I want those shrimp and grits! I had thought making a reservation for there in March but have decided against any ADRs. We are only there for two days and I want to capitalize on all my time. One if the other chaperones is also a super picky eater. Like chicken nuggets dipped and ketchup kind of picky. She eats like a 5 year old but she's 30! Haha!

I can't wait to hear about the dessert party! I've always wanted to do it.

 

[stacy~**]

I just wanted to let you know I was still here and of course, am looking forward to hearing about the dessert party!

You sure made the Grand Floridian Café look good...so good I just had to look up the menu (since we have never been). I am definitely going to keep this in mind as a new spot to try next trip.

You guys looked great that night. And nice work on the mousekeeping cart for the family picture! Very resourceful!!

 

[aprilisis]

Sorry I've been gone for a while. I caught up on your whole report today. I can't wait to read more!!

 

[maryj11]

Cant wait to see how the Wishes Dessert Party went. I think I tried to get a reservation that very same night if it was May 28th ? Never did manage to get one though.
I will get one our next trip though because I'm determined to grab one as soon as they come out for the day we want

 

[mickeystoontown]

Seems like every time I get back to my trip report, it's to start with an apology for being away so long. Today, it's no different. Lots and lots of things happening here in good old North Louisiana.

John's still laid off. As of the 20th, it will be an entire month. The unemployment saga continues but we have received a whopping $444.00 total in benefits. I'm not trying to sound ungrateful because every little bit helps but it's like pulling teeth to get the money from the State of Louisiana. The good news is it looks like he will be going back to work sometime next week.

On September 10th, John got a call from his brother letting him know that their dad was in the hospital (if you could call it a hospital in that tiny little town of their's...it's more like a doctor's office). He had been having chest pains and they thought that he had had a heart attack. John and his older brother immediately went to the hospital and after much talking and hum-hawing around, convinced them to move him to a bigger and better hospital here in our town. John took his mother home to get their things and his brother followed the ambulance to the hospital. John and his Mama drove over after they had gotten some clothes and his dad's medicine together.

John's parents are country. C-O-U-N-T-R-Y. They don't ask the right questions. They probably wouldn't listen to the answers even if they did ask the right questions. They didn't even tell the doctors that his dad was a diabetic. His mother is a little on the ditzy side too. Heck, who am I kiddin'. She's a lot ditzy! Ditzy and country and stubborn aren't a good mix when you are trying to get a patient admitted the hospital. Thank goodness John and his older brother were there.

Then, the other brothers started coming along and some aren't much better than his parents. Not much later, his sister, her husband and her goofy older teenage son came from Mississippi. She tried to start taking over everything and she is as ditzy as her mama and is definitely not the one who needs to be handling things. It was a complete and total mess and I'm surprised that John was able to keep his cool as long as he did. Notice that? I said "as long as he did". A telephone call to his mother, which was answered by his sister, ended up being a "Come to Jesus Meeting" with several not so Jesus like words thrown around. Let's just say that John's sister didn't try to tell him how sick his daddy was again or tell him what John needed to be doing and she'll hesitate before digging through her parents' sock drawers while they are away, if you get my drift.

Anyway, they determined that he had, indeed, had a mild heart attack. The doctors performed a heart cath and found out that John's dad had a 99% blockage and they put in a stent. They did it all through his arm which the doctor said was a fairly new procedure that most in our area hadn't done yet. Of course, it could be a 100 year old procedure and the doctors in our area might not know about it. Remember, we don't live in a big city.

John's dad said that, almost immediately, he felt better. In fact, he felt good enough that Hunter talked him into taking a selfie when we visited him.

​

His dad was in the hospital for a few days but is now back home. They put him on a pretty strict diet (he is a big man with diabetes and knee problems) and John's mama is struggling with a new way of cooking. We are hoping and praying that she won't give up and go back to her country way of cooking. If you go by their previous track record (doesn't stick to the diabetic diet at all), it wouldn't surprise us if she gives up.

While all of that was going on, my Mama was getting all of her affairs in order. No, she's not dying. She's not even sick. As a matter of fact, the doctors told her that she is one of the healthiest 80 year old women that they have ever seen. But, after this latest round of dizziness and tests to find out what it was, she was on a mission to get everything in order. So that no questions would ever be asked on whether or not anybody influenced her in any way, I referred her to a good, honest attorney to talk to. I don't think that there would ever been any fussing between me and my two sisters, but, death and money have a way of causing rifts in families. If I sent her to someone else instead of the attorney that I work for, I can never be told that I influenced any decisions that she made. We will abide by my Mama's wishes no matter what if it's all in writing.


The garden is still producing so I'm still canning a few tomatoes, making salsa, freezing peas, butterbeans and okra. Because of the heat and lack of rain, it has slowed down a lot. We planted a new crop of peas and they are close to being ready to start picking and freezing. We also planted cabbage this past weekend and I hope that I have enough to make some more homemade chow-chow. John picked the last pear from our pear tree and it was humongous. Just that one pear weighed over 2 pounds! I was sad to see that it was the last one but also happy that there were no more pears to have to make into preserves.


You remember me telling ya'll that Lacey and Jesse were booked to go with us to Disney next year? They are officially booked! And, now Jesse's parents have agreed to go as have his two brothers, his sister-in-law and their little girl. Lacey and I have been in planning overload trying to get stuff together to show them. I printed out about four inches of information to send to them yesterday. Lots of info on the resort, Disney transportation, Magic Bands, Fastpasses and menus. For Jesse's parents and his oldest brother, this will probably be a one-time trip. But, for his other brother, wife and daughter (will be 2 1/2 at the time of the trip), it may be one of their first trips to WDW. We want them to love it as much as we do so we are arming them with as much information as possible.

Other than going to work (me at the office and John's side jobs), maintaining two households and acreage (our's and Mama's when she needs it because nobody else does), keeping everyone clothed and fed and dealing with all of the above, everybody here is hunky dory!

Oh and did I tell ya'll that I applied for the Disney Moms Panel again? Yep, I sure did. One day, I'm going to make it on that Panel or at least die trying.

I gotta get back to work and get some things off of my desk. I'll be coming back with replies and another update as soon as I possibly can.

 

[KatMark]

You poor dear! How much more can you guys take? Well, knowing you, you just give it right back.

Good for John for letting his sister "know."

I'm glad Momma is getting her affairs in order...it will make her feel better.

Lots of canning and stuff for you, my friend.

Get here when you can (and selfishly, you can avoid too many updates while I'm gone).

Sending a huge hug to you and John.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great update!! I've always said that the Grand Floridian Cafe is one of the most underrated restaurants in Disney! It seems to be overshadowed by the signature restaurants - Narcoossee's and Citricos. Glad you enjoyed it! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the Dessert Party!!

We had eaten at the Grand Floridian Cafe before but we didn't remember the food being as good as it was that night. It was delicious!

Great update, Lisa!

We had that Monkey Cupcake when we were at CBR in July--that thing is too die for!!!! We went back for one a different night, but they were out of them!!! Need to find that recipe!

Wasn't the monkey cupcake good!?! They also had a vanilla cupcake version but I went with the chocolate.

Love the updates. I just finished lunch, but all of your yummy food pictures have me hungry again. Everything looks so good! From the turkey sandwich, to the cupcakes, to the steak, to the sorbet and fruit... Yummy!

the food was absolutely delicious!

They are not kidding when they say don't feed the animals, it changes their behavior! I was attacked by a squirrel in Epcot, and I was NOT trying to feed it! LOL

We've been divebombed by birds before outside of The Electric Umbrella.

I am hearing you on why boys/men spend so long in the bathroom! The kids have to read 30 minutes a day for school, Ethan saves his time until he has to go to the bathroom and reads his entire time while sitting on the pot! When he finally gets up he jumps up and down trying to get the blood flowing to his legs again!

They gotta do something to get the blood flowing again so jumping up and down probably does the trick.

You had made me add another restaurant on to my wish list! The food looks as good as you say it tastes.

The food there was delicious. We will definitely be back.

Can't wait to hear about your MK evening and the dessert party!!

Coming up soon!

Love the updates!!!

Wow, you guys did sleep in.

I guess that all of the running around did us in because I don't normally sleep that late when at Disney or anywhere for that matter.

Your dinner at GF Café sounds wonderful! I have never been there (in fact, I have never step food in the GF resort), but the reviews I read about that restaurant are always positive.

You should try and get over to the Grand Floridian if only to look around. It's a beautiful resort.

You can tell your family that Dee thanks you for all the pictures of your delicious looking food! My family is not wild about me taking pictures of our meals- I should say Mark and Nate are not, Ben does it too- but they tolerate it. I try to be quick. The key is to get a picture of theirs first. Then I can take my time with Ben's food and mine.

That's what I usually do! I take pictures of John's so that he can get started and not have to wait on me. Gotta do what I gotta do.

Nice pictures at the railing and it is nice knowing the sentiment behind your expression!

I had that "I'll kick you in the cojones" look on my face for sure.

Can't wait to hear about the dessert party, but a little concerned about your title preview.

I promise not to make you wait too long on the next update.

I don't know if it's the camera, or y'all did it on purpose, but the choice of attire for the evening complimented very nicely with one another. Y'all looked like you were a family - but not in a matchy-matchy kind of way.

I didn't even realize that we were color coordinated until I saw the pictures. If I had planned it that way, the guys would have protested.

GFC is such a nice restaurant! During our trip last year my hubby requested a meal that was just the two of us and we went there (my brother and his now wife also ate there at the same time, just two different reservations). We had a spot tucked away in the corner and it was a very nice meal. We both had the burger with lobster on it because our waiter described it as "surf and turf on a brioche bun".

We ate an anniversary meal there several years ago. Oh gosh, now that I think about it, it was 5 years ago. I've always wondered if the lobster burger was good.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm praying for you guys that John gets back to work in a few weeks.

Thank you! It looks like he'll go back to work next week!

I'm glad there was enough money to bail you out in case you got picked up by the Disney PoPo.

Although......I could get inside pictures of the Disney jail.

Close talkers and I, we don't get along too well. I just don't understand it. Like, get out my face!

I can't stand close talkers either. One of John's brothers is a close talker and I am always shuffling backwards when he's around.

Dinner at House of Blues looks good. We haven't eaten there in a while.

We may skip it next trip only because there are other places that we want to eat but it's always been good.

I'm glad that at least something from unemployment is coming through. Something is always better than nothing. I'll keep you in my thoughts that something comes your way.

Yep, I'm just glad that we finally finally got some money from the unemployment office.

That's awesome that Lacey and Jesse are coming on your trip next year.

It now looks like we have even more people who will be joining us!

I wouldn't have wanted to hold out either! I would have been begging to know what the surprise was. I love the dessert party. I was hoping to get it in November but we have too many people. I do like not contending with the crowds.

The best part about the dessert party was not having to deal with the crowds on Main Street. It was so nice to just sit there and watch (and eat!)

Grand Floridian Cafe is a great place! I think of it as a hidden gem.

It's definitely a hidden gem!

Great update, Lisa.

John's breakfast platter looks really yummy.

He enjoyed it.

The Menu thingie? I love how you described it.

I didn't know how else to describe it. It was a menu and it was a thingie around the umbrella pole thus "menu thingie".

So did Hunter ever go swimming?

Nooooooo! He spent too darn much time in the bathroom.

Dinner at GF looks wonderful. It goes on our list and then goes off. We will definitely have to try it some time.

It was one of the best meals of the entire trip.

Inquiring minds want to know....did the men who were in the restaurant have collered shirts on like John and Hunter?

They did not. There were some in shorts and t's.

Four people shared one meal? Were they all on a diet?

I have no idea what the people were doing. I mean, seriously, one meal for four grown people?

Nice pic of you and John ALMOST to the railing.

I certainly wasn't getting any closer!

And nice job Hunter on the beautiful ceiling pictures.

And, I certainly wasn't going to look up. That makes me feel all weird too.

Of course I'll show you my pictures! I'll be taking hundreds! We leave in 16 hours!!!!!!!!

I loved your update. I can't believe in 2 nights I'll be sleeping at CBR.

That food at GF Cafe looked delicious! My dh would love the shrimp and grits. He's a former southerner and loves his grits!

And the GF is so beautiful. I could never stay there, it's too fancy for me, but I like to visit it.

I'm sure I'll get behind, since we'll be gone, but I can't wait to catch up when we return and share our trip with you!

Let me know when you start the report. I'm really bad about not looking at signatures for links.

The shrimp and grits were fantastic!

I guess because I'm around fancy smancy high falutin' folks at the courthouse and law office, I don't mind being around those type of people. I'd stay at the Grand if I could afford a gosh darn grand a night.

So sorry to hear of John's temporary job loss. I hope he gets back to work soon.

We think that he'll get to go back next week!

I love your Lisa List's. I am a list writer too. It just makes everything so easy.

Don't you just love lists? Like you said, it makes everything so easy.

The Grand Floridian Cafe looks absolutely gorgeous. I've never eaten there but hope to try it one day.

We've been three or four times and it's always been good.

Coming out of lurkdom to say how much I love your TR. Your family is too cute and your TR is really entertaining. I'm so sorry about your husband's job hopefully things will be sorted soon so he can get back to work . Can't wait for your next installment!

Thanks for popping out and posting! I hope that you'll do it more often. The Dis is such a wonderful place and the people are so encouraging. Thank you again!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Woooo-eee, lady! You are making me tired just reading about all you have been doing and dealing with! My parents plan to retire up here in about three years, so I know my day is coming in taking care of my kids and hubby and my own life and taking care of my parents, too. I am honored to be given the opportunity to take care of the parents who sacrificed so much for me and loved me all these years...but I know it is going to require quite an adjustment to my life to say the least.

THANK YOU JESUS that John is going back to work!!!!!
God is good, and He is faithful!! I am sure it will take a bit to recover from the brief financial loss, so I will keep on praying!