Disney Dining,DIS Meets,and WAIT-Why is that lady holding..... FINAL THOUGHTS 11/27

[MHTeacher]

The new BC rooms look pretty! I'm glad they kept the lifeguard lamp...love that! We found the rooms to be smallish as well and we're only a family of 4. The rooms at the Poly are huge comparatively!

They are pretty, but you're right about the size. You know, we stayed at YC during our NYE trip, but we were only there three nights, so I guess we weren't around enough for the size of the rooms to be a big deal. This trip, spending 7 nights, I told Kevin, that the room was just about too small for our family of 5 to be in for 7 nights! I definitely think we will be back at the Poly next trip for the size of the room---not to mention that it's my dream resort. I love it!

 

[MHTeacher]

DAY 1—SATURDAY, MAY 22---Part 2

After unpacking and freshening up, we decided to head over to Epcot. Because we had made so many twists and turns getting to our room to begin with, we had no idea where we were in the scheme of the building or in relation to Epcot. So, we walked back (all the way back) to the lobby, to head out the back doors and follow the path to Epcot. Later we would discover that from our room, we really only needed to head down one hall and out an exit door and we would be right on the path toward Epcot. So, we actually backtracked to go back to the lobby before exiting the resort. OH WELL---we learned eventually.

We stopped along the main hall and took this picture of the kids:

As we left the hotel, Kevin turned and took this picture. I’m not really sure how he got so lucky to not have anyone in this picture, because there always seemed to be LOTS of people at BC all the time!

As we turned left to head over to EPCOT, Kevin kept stopping to take pictures. I think he was really enjoying using the camera! He snapped these along the way:

Looking across to Boardwalk:

Looking back toward Yacht Club:

After walking into EPCOT and grabbing a Times Guide, our first item on the agenda was to hike it over to the American Adventure to catch the last performance of the day by the Voices of Liberty.

Waiting for the show:

For some reason, we didn’t take a picture of the VoL singing this day. I guess we have a few shots of them from years past!

From there, we left the VoL in the American pavilion, and turned right. We strolled through the countries, stopping to look when we wanted and walking on when we wanted! Along the way, a few pictures:

In Mexico, we decided to ride El Rio del Tiempo---or as my kids call it---the boat ride in Mexico! Even though the line looked long-it was weaving all around –it actually didn’t take more than 5 minutes. As we were passing through the area near the restaurant, I saw Alicia (cinderellacrazy) and her family having dinner. It was so funny, because I had not met her at that time, but I recognized her from her PTR pics. I decided not to act like a crazy fool and yell across the line to her.

Can I just say that this ride is such a disappointment to me. I was reminded why we don’t usually do it, after we got finished. I think surely there is a better way to show the beauty of Mexico and teach about the culture of the people without having cartoon characters throughout the film. That’s just my opinion.

After getting off the ride, we stopped and watched the glass blower. I wish I had taken some pictures, because it was amazing. The man working was very talented. I think most of us could have stood for a long time and just watched him work.

Eventually we started toward the exit, stopping to be just a little silly.

***continued in next post

 

[MHTeacher]

It was after 5 o’clock, and because we had a dinner reservation in Japan at 5:50, I didn’t want to wander into Future World. So we turned around and walked back. We headed back to Japan, and happened to catch the drummers, so we stopped and watched the show.

After watching, we decided to walk through the Mitsukoshi store. WOW—that place is really huge. We didn’t buy anything, but we had fun looking at all the different merchandise! By then it was about 5:40, so we decided to go on and check in for our ADR at Teppan Edo. We had never eaten here before-In fact, I wasn’t even sure where the restaurant was located exactly!

I noticed the check-in podium near the stairs outside the Mitsukoshi store, and walked over and checked in for our 5:50 ADR. The sweet girl sent us up the stairs, and inside, where we were met by another lady. We were given a buzzer and told it would be a few minutes. I went to find the restroom, and the kids sat down. This place was already really crowded, and there were lots of people waiting.

I think the kids needed a moment to cool off –Reid occupied himself with his DS, and the girls listened to their iPods.

When I returned from the restroom, our party had been called. Kevin told me we were to wait in this little area outside the rooms where the grills are. Pretty soon, we were taken to our table. There was already a family of four sitting around the grill when we got there. After sitting down, we all got introduced and found out where each other was from. We were eating with Jay and Leona, and their two kids, and they were from Kentucky. Then, we just proceeded to chit-chat about Disney---Trips we’d made in the past, where we were staying, when we’d gotten there, how long we were staying, etc.

In the course of the conversation, Jay mentioned that they lived in Bowling Green, and they had left early that morning for their flight out of Nashville. They were going home the next Saturday, the 29th. All along, I kept thinking that all this sounded familiar. Then when he asked us if we’d ever heard of the DIS, and said their friend that they had traveled with posted on the DIS, I KNEW IT! I realized who I was eating with.






I smiled and asked, “Would your friend be Leanne (leamom2princesses)?” He laughed and said YES. Then it all clicked for him too, and he asked if I was the DIS friend from Alabama. I said yes, and he said he needed to text Leanne and tell her.

We really thought it was so funny that out of the entire restaurant, and all the grills, we got seated with them. We really enjoyed talking to them---They are a really nice family.

By this time we had all ordered our meals, and the chef had arrived to cook it up in show form for us, so the talking slowed down then. It was the typical show, if you’ve been to very many Japanese hibachi style restaurants, but still entertaining, because, HEY, it’s at Disney, AND everything is better there!

I didn’t do very well at getting pictures of food on this trip. I was always so hungry, I’d start eating before I even thought about it, and then I didn’t want to show you half-eaten food!

For dessert, my entire non-exotic food bunch all ordered the plain ice cream. I thought I would step out and try something different. I ordered the green tea pudding and when they brought it to our table, there was a candle in it. (Kevin and I had our anniversary buttons on because we were celebrating our 20th anniversary, which had been just a few days before our trip.)

One of the kids took our picture:

We were using the DDP this trip, and as I mentioned in the first post, this was the first time we’ve ever paid for it. (We had it during free dining once in 2008.) I really wanted to keep up with the total we would have spent for food each day to see how economical the plan was for our family. Our dinner that night would have been $162---Thank goodness for the DDP.

We really enjoyed this meal. The food was good, and everyone had plenty. Of course, being entertained with the show during your meal is great for the kids, even the big ones! Kevin said this was his favorite or 2nd favorite meal of the trip. So, I think we will definitely return.

***continued in next post

 

[MHTeacher]

When we left, it was close to 7:30. It was that great time of the day, when the sun is beginning to go down, and the temps already feel cooler. It’s one of my favorite times in a Disney park. I stopped to try for a creative picture:

And Kevin tried for a cute picture:

We walked left and wandered through some more of World Showcase. We had a DIS meet planned for 8:30 near the fountain in France; so again, I didn’t want to wander very far from there. In the United Kingdom, everyone had to stop and answer the phone!

The Flower and Garden Festival was ending, and there were still some topiaries around. Evidently, Kevin wasn’t aware we’d seen them in March, and he wanted to take pictures of them.

We stopped and listened to the British Invasion, and by then it was almost 8:30. We decided to walk back toward France, stopping on the bridge to have our photopass pic taken.

As we got closer to the fountain in France, I saw a tall man wearing an Alabama cap standing with a lady who had beautiful, red hair. I knew that had to be Dana (racefanof88) and her husband, Dale. I walked up to her, and she called me by name. I thought it was so funny how some of us had never met each other in person, yet we all recognized each other--- The power of the DIS! We stood and talked, and in person, Dana is just as she is here on the DIS---a sweet and funny lady!

The girls sat and just listened.

They were amazed that their mom was meeting people I didn’t know except for the internet. They had teased me horribly about my “DIS friends” for weeks---like they weren’t real people---just someone I had made up in my mind! BUT, I do have to tell that after meeting everyone, they did admit that all the folks were really nice. Before the trip was all over, they were planning to make friend requests of all them on facebook!

Pretty soon, we were joined by Alicia (Cinderellacrazy) and her family, Mary (MaryAz) and her family, Leanne (leamom2princesses) and her family, and Leanne’s friend—Jay and Leona and their kids.

The kids had fun talking---I believe my Reid and Dana’s son, Dallas, became fast friends this day. We discovered that besides loving Disney, they share a great love of all things Pokémon!

Some kids even considered a dip in the fountain!

It was a lot of fun talking and watching all our kids interact with one another.

My girls really enjoy being around other little kids, and are both great with smaller children. They really seemed to take up with Mary’s girls, Avery and Cayley. Mary has the cutest picture of all four of them on her trip report that I wish I had, but Kevin was taking the pictures during this outing. (Never send a man to do a woman’s job. ) He did get one of just Cayley with my girls—still a cute photo, but I would’ve liked to have all four girls in the shot.

It seemed like the 30 minutes prior to Illuminations just flew by. I was having so much fun talking to everyone. Most everyone wanted to watch the show, so we walked up to World Showcase Lagoon. I had never watched Illuminations from over there, and I soon came to realize there was a good reason. It is not the best viewing spot---great for a DIS meet, but not so great for seeing the show. That was ok with us, because at the risk of being flamed, I can honestly say that Illuminations is probably our least favorite of the nightly shows at Disney.

We did manage a few decent pictures.

When it was all over, we all said our good-bye, except for us and Dana, Dale, and Dallas. We stood and continued to talk as the crowds headed toward the exit. We probably stood for 30 minutes after the show ended and had a good time talking. We parted ways and agreed we would text each other the next day and try to meet up, if possible. Dallas and Reid were already planning on some quality Pokémon time!

As they headed toward the front of the park to exit, we used our private entrance to return to Beach Club. It is a definite perk of BC/YC and Boardwalk, to be able to walk back to the resort.

The Boardwalk across the lake looked very pretty, all lit up for the night.

With the late night we’d had the night before, and the traveling we’d done that day, we were pretty tired and ready for showers and bed.

******************************

UP NEXT---I ask the girls, “Who is that lady holding your Daddy?”

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hi! I am climbing aboard late but apparently just in time for a much needed virtual visit to my beloved Beach Club and World Showcase!

I agree with you, those hallways at BC can be LONG but it is so worth it! Walking "home" after Illuminations is truly priceless!

What a small world getting seated with friends of friends at dinner!

And lastly, I have to agree with you that DISers are just the nicest people ever. I've been lucky enough to meet quite a few and you're right - somehow we just seem to "know" eachother and always have a great time.

Can't wait for more!!

 

[stace208]

What a great afternoon/evening Michelle! That DIS meet looked like a blast!!

I can't wait to hear about who's holding your DH!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I LOVE the nighttime photo of the Boardwalk! Really makes me want to stay in that area - even more so than having such close access to Epcot. I just love the ambience.

Sounds like a fun Dismeet. And how cool that you ended up seated with ... well how would you describe it? Friends of friends, I guess, at Teppan Edo!

 

[Brave teacher]

What a great afternoon at Epcot! I'm glad that you eventually found that your room had a great location to get to the Epcot entrance.

It's so cool that you ended up at the same teppan as Leanne's friends. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the dinner as well. What a cute picture of you and Kevin at dinner.

I'm glad you had a good time at the meet in France. I had a good intentions of being there. It just was not in the cards for us that day. Sorry the location wasn't good to watch the show. We normally watch from one of the little cul-de-sacs at the bottom of the bridge, along the water. However, no place is good if the wind is blowing towards you that night. No flames from me on Illuminations not being your favorite. We all have our opinions. Fantasmic isn't one that's liked by us, especially because of the mass exodus from the theater.

Looking forward to see who's holding Kevin!

 

[kschafer]

What a fun evening! I look forward to trying Teppan Edo one of these days and Dis meets are just the best

There really are good places around WS to see Illuminations, you did not have one of those I'm afraid

 

[stace208]

Double post...the DIS is acting kooky for me today!

I will add that we are not huge fans of Illuminations either. Last time we saw it the wind was blowing and all we saw was smoke really. That's what's great about Disney-there's something for everyone!!

 

[goofy's_gurl]

Looks like a lovely day there. Meeting all those people on the DIS. Glad you all had a great time. I want to know who is that mysterious lady holding on to your DH!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

What a great update!! It sounds like you had a great first evening in Disney - what better way to end the night than with a DIS meet! It looks everyone had a great time meeting up!

I can't wait to hear the story behind your title!

 

[MeMom]

The kids had fun talking---I believe my Reid and Dana’s son, Dallas, became fast friends this day. We discovered that besides loving Disney, they share a great love of all things Pokémon!

Dallas and Reid were already planning on some quality Pokémon time!

What a great meet!
It's fun to see all of the kids creating friendships, too.

 

[beyondblessed]

Hi Michelle - I just found your trip report and was able to get caught up quickly thanks to your links! I'm glad the A/C wasn't a big deal...I freak out about those things too and once my mind starts going, it doesn't stop. Your family is adorable...I can't wait to read more!

 

[praisehisname]

Wow, that's so cool that you got seated with DIS friends at dinner! Sounds like you had a wonderful evening of food and new friendships. Can't wait to finally hear how the report got it's name!

 

[mermaid764]

Wow it really is a small world for you guys to have been seated with that family. The Dis meet sounded awesome and I love the pic of the three girls together! Looking forward to your next update

 

[Charleston Princess]

Kevin got some great shots of the Beach Club!!!

That's so funny about the people you ate with at Teppan Edo!!! Who would have thought?

Your big DIS meet looks like a lot of fun! It's always neat to meet people from the DIS!

 

[MaryAz]

I still can't get over that you were seated with Jay and family at dinner! So cool! Nice pics of the BC. I know those kids! Ms Cayley is venturing further into the fountain and I think Avery is holding Reid's hand. Was so great to meet you guys!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great update Michelle! I have to agree with you that DISers are the nicest people, sounds like you had a great meet! Kevin almost got a shot Cayley trying to take a dip in the fountain didn't he?

 

[wdwgirl03]

Awesome update! I love all the YC/BC/BW pictures. I just love that whole area.

Sounds like a fun DIS meet too. It's so neat meeting other people who love Disney.