Disney done differently, (BOG dining updates pages 202 and 203)

Oh no, I don't study bugs, but I study ecology (focusing more on plants) which really looks at the interactions between organisms which unfortunately includes bugs. :crazy2: I do a lot of work out in the field, and that means a lot of bugs.

The book is called Botany of Desire, my plant biology advisor lent it to me, I wouldn't really recommend it unless you like plants a lot. :lmao: It talked a lot about neurology in the marijuana section. :rotfl:

I'm not a math and science person either, I can't do math well. :rolleyes2 I consider myself more of a history and science person but obviously mainly a science person.

As weird as this sounds, I hope it is a growth spurt causing the seizures because I would hate for Anakin to get yet ANOTHER infection. Hopefully the doctors can get his meds sorted out soon. I'm glad to hear he had a much better night last night.

The trip down memory was so cute. I think they both favor each other and still look similar to what they looked like when they were younger. I don't look anything like I used to. :confused3

LOL, I think I'll skip on the book.

Alot of kids in his acting class are sick. So far he has escaped it. But my bet is a growth spurt. But sometimes we just don't know the cause.

In some of their baby pictures they look identical.
 

September 28th, First Day of Disney's Food and Wine Festival 2012​

We love Disney's Food and Wine Festival!! Where else can you get a sampling of food from all over the world in one place?! I get excited for it as soon as I see the booths getting set up. My mouth waters at the thought of the tastey food.

I wanted to book a room from Friday to Tues. But the rates for Friday and Saturday nights were too high. Therefore, we booked a room only passholder rate at POP for Sunday to Tues for $75/night! And drove back and forth on Friday instead.

The entire way from home to WDW we saw rainbows. It was really beautiful!

DSC_0845.jpg

A couple days before, we had read on kennythepirate's blog that Marie was being moved from France at Epcot to the flag pole at MK. It had been years since we stopped to visit with Marie so that was a top priority.

When we arrived at Epcot, the parking lot was very full. We had a good hike from our car to the entrance. It is just too difficult to fold up the Convaid Cruiser and get on a tram. The w/c is bulky and heavy, especially the foot rests. But that's ok, dh and I need the exercise. I'm sure we needed even more than we got after eating the wonderful samplings at the F&W Festival!

DSC_0853.jpg


Something special was going on at the little fountain area. It was blocked by plants and they were starting to set up tables.

DSC_0855.jpg


One thing new this year is the watermelon display.

DSC_0857.jpg

I think it was around 4pm when we began checking out the food. The first stand we came to, already was out of an item. That's definately a sign that the World Showcase is a busy, hopping place.

DSC_0864.jpg


DSC_0865.jpg


The queues were very long and winding.

DSC_0866.jpg

We decided to come up with a plan. First we would put Marie as top priority, then we would only go to booths that had a short queue.

Anakin ate before we left home. He wanted some popcorn so we stopped at the popcorn stand in Canada. What we were about to experience was the first of some really disgusting diplays of people's behavior. And in retrospect I am upset that neither dh nor I spoke up. This was so gross that I am going to write it in white. If you have a strong stomach feel free to read by highlighting it.

The man in front of us had a cold. All of the sudden he threw his head to the side and a huge blob of snot went flying to the ground. Rather than getting a napkin from the cart, he wiped his nose on his hand, arm and shirt. His phone rang and he answered it. Then wiped the phone on his jeans. He paid with cash, and there was no way we wanted his money as our change. We should have warned the cm to wash her hands or use hand sanitizer but we were so in shock and disgusted that it didn't come to mind until we had already walked away.

There was no line for Marie. Only one family ahead of us.

DSC_0869.jpg


DSC_0871.jpg

The first booth we came to without a queue was Singapore. We both got the Mahi mahi.

We ordered our food, then proceeded to the counter area where a cm looked at our receipt and gave us our food. The counter there was wet from the rain that had stopped before we arrived at Epcot.

DSC_0873.jpg

I thought it strange that they did not wipe it with a towel. I mean come on, those taking care of trash cans were using squeegies on the trash cans and towels, but this Singapore booth must have had neither or just didn't care about the appearance of their counter.

DSC_0875.jpg

The mahi mahi was cooked perfectly. The singa sauce was not to either of our liking. We preferred the mahi mahi last year at another booth. The jasmine rice was nicely cooked.

The next booth without a queue was Japan. We got the chopped sirloin sandwich. It was very tastey! It was served with a smile and their counter was spotless!

DSC_0876.jpg


DSC_0877.jpg

We got a text that our friends were going to eat at the American restaurant and they asked us to joing them. We were so excited to see that the pumpkin spice funnel cake was back!!! We stopped to get one.

DSC_0880.jpg

Here is where things get disgusting again. This time it was a cm and not a guest. Again going to white print, to read you'll need to highlight it. Otherwise feel free to skip it.

We ordered the funnel cake. There were 2 cm working. One was busy making all the cakes the other taking orders, handling the money and handing them to guests. The one handing them to guests must have had a cold as well. She sneezed several times into the inside flap of her chef shirt. My son tells me in his ServSafe class he learned when you have to sneeze you do it to the inside elbow. But this girl kept unraveling her shirt and using it as a kleenex. She saw I was watching her and she grabbed some napkins and went outside the stand. She came back and went right back to work, but I did not see her use any hand sanitizer or wash her hands. I'm hoping to God she did when I wasn't looking. She handed us our plate and was careful to only touch the bottom of the plate. I was so grossed out. Again, I should have refused it. Spoke up and had a new one prepared and her wash her hands.

DSC_0881.jpg

Our friends were already eating so we joined them at the table. After I set the funnel cake down, I got out my hand sanitizer and boy did I use a generous amount of it!!

Dh was still hungry, so we decided to split a pulled pork sandwich. I was very happy to see that grilled chicken is now on the kid's menu!!

DSC_0884.jpg

I didn't get a picture because Anakin ate it faster than I could sit down. He really liked it!

The adult menu also changed since we last ate there.

DSC_0883.jpg


DSC_0882.jpg

All the other booths were packed with people. So we did not do any other samplings this night. Instead we headed to the Festival Center. We were happy to see it empty there!

On the way there, we passed by the new TT car wash stand.

DSC_0886.jpg


DSC_0892.jpg

Stopped to look at the card in front of TT

DSC_0896.jpg


DSC_0898.jpg


DSC_0899.jpg

I think it was full moon.

DSC_0900.jpg

Festival Center continued on next post...






 
We bought a bottle of Ice Wine. I was looking for the Candian kind, but we couldn't find it. The CM said that she didn't know how the wines were set up. She said if there was a map or some kind of order, it was explained to her. So we all browsed the shelves looking for it. Before we found it we found a bottle of something that was almost $300. Whoa! We did find a German kind of ice wine and bought that. We haven't tried it yet. Though we will probably give it to dh's parents as a gift.

Ghiradelli had a chocolate display. On the wall was an explanation and pictures of the chocolate making process. In the display cases were amazing creations of chocolate from WDW chefs.


DSC_0904.jpg


DSC_0905.jpg


DSC_0906.jpg


DSC_0907.jpg


The Jack Sparrow in the piece above was so real looking! It was definately a wow factor!

DSC_0908.jpg


DSC_0909.jpg


DSC_0912.jpg


They even had a bar in this area with wine and a chocolate drink.

DSC_0918.jpg


The merchandise area was so inviting with the colors and displays.

DSC_0919.jpg


DSC_0920.jpg


DSC_0923.jpg


DSC_0924.jpg


DSC_0925.jpg


DSC_0933.jpg


DSC_0934.jpg


DSC_0936.jpg


DSC_0937.jpg


DSC_0938.jpg


DSC_0939.jpg
More pictures continued...
 

DSC_0940.jpg


DSC_0942.jpg


Yes you are seeing that right. Over $4000 for my Tink bottle. Needless to say it did not become mine.

There was a cookbook section. We found these beauties. Bought them and began making the recipes.

DSC_0941.jpg


We bought two flag (a cooking one and a Thanksgiving one), a mickey ice cube tray for Anakin's soap making, and those two cook books.

After shopping we called it an evening.

There was even a good night kiss on the monorail station!

DSC_0943.jpg


The next day, I packed for Sunday's trip back to POP for 2 nights for MNSSHP!!!

Up next...A DIS meet!


 

lovethattink said:
We bought a bottle of Ice Wine. I was looking for the Candian kind, but we couldn't find it. The CM said that she didn't know how the wines were set up. She said if there was a map or some kind of order, it was explained to her. So we all browsed the shelves looking for it. Before we found it we found a bottle of something that was almost $300. Whoa! We did find a German kind of ice wine and bought that. We haven't tried it yet. Though we will probably give it to dh's parents as a gift.

Ghiradelli had a chocolate display. On the wall was an explanation and pictures of the chocolate making process. In the display cases were amazing creations of chocolate from WDW chefs.



The Jack Sparrow in the piece above was so real looking! It was definately a wow factor!

They even had a bar in this area with wine and a chocolate drink.

The merchandise area was so inviting with the colors and displays.


More pictures continued...

Mmm Ghiradelli.
 
looks like a fun and yummy day at Epcot...I am so bummed we didn't go up to the event center last year, we missed all that shopping opportunity :sad1:

love all the artwork, those chocolate displays are awesome!
 
Mmm Ghiradelli.

My family is a big fan too! I can't eat chocolate :(

looks like a fun and yummy day at Epcot...I am so bummed we didn't go up to the event center last year, we missed all that shopping opportunity :sad1:

love all the artwork, those chocolate displays are awesome!

The chocolate sculptures were incredible!!

If you ever are here again during the F&W Festival, you now know that's a good place to stop!
 
/
lovethattink said:
My family is a big fan too! I can't eat chocolate :(

The chocolate sculptures were incredible!!

If you ever are here again during the F&W Festival, you now know that's a good place to stop!

Aww .:(

What about carob?

Idk much about it..
 
My family is a big fan too! I can't eat chocolate :(



The chocolate sculptures were incredible!!

If you ever are here again during the F&W Festival, you now know that's a good place to stop!

maybe some day :goodvibes
 
lovethattink said:
Never tried carob that I know of.

:)

Supposed to be similar. I know its safe for animals. That's about I've heard
 
Oh, I so want to fly there now and go shopping. :lmao::lmao::lmao: But I don't think Mark would like that excuse. :confused:
 
Supposed to be similar. I know its safe for animals. That's about I've heard

My health food neighbor tried to convince me that carob tasted just like chocolate way back in the 80s. I guess she never tasted chocolate! I'd rather do without chocolate than eat carob. I'll try anything once and carob got its "once" but never again. :)
 
Supposed to be similar. I know its safe for animals. That's about I've heard

We have a sugar free cookbook at home and it does call from carob for brownies.

Oh, I so want to fly there now and go shopping. :lmao::lmao::lmao: But I don't think Mark would like that excuse. :confused:

I wish you could too!

My health food neighbor tried to convince me that carob tasted just like chocolate way back in the 80s. I guess she never tasted chocolate! I'd rather do without chocolate than eat carob. I'll try anything once and carob got its "once" but never again. :)

I'll take that as a heads up and not bother trying carob. I use to love chocolate. My grandfather made the best fudge. He used Hershey's recipe. And his opera fudge was to die for!! Have you ever tried opera fudge? It's a wonderful PA Dutch confection!! Van Winkle makes the best!!
 
This is it!! The MNSSHP trip!!​

It had been about 7 years since my last MNSSHP, Anakin was about 6 months old. I took the kids by myself because DH could not get off work and I was meeting a very special DIS friend, Belle1997. Dh hadn't been there for even more years. I think Anakin was in 2nd grade his last MNSSHP. With so much time between parties we were very excited for this trip!

Sunday September 30, 2012 was our MNSSHP date! I did online check in the day I made our reservation for Pop Century. This was clearly a last minute booking, and was exactly two weeks since our last stay at POP. I was able to book a passholder rate of $75/night.

Check in took a rediculously long time. For some reason they couldn't get the credit card to work for resort charges. The cm tried a long time. The manager tried a long time. I said that it worked 2 weeks ago when we stayed here. The manager explained that maybe it was a security measure from our credit card company. Sure enough, it was. In fact, when we got home we had a new credit card waiting for us with brand new numbers and a letter explaining about a breech in security. Yikes!

We got the charges set up on a different card. I explained that I had to use express check out on Tuesday because we had to be in another town by 8:30am for a field trip on Tuesday and I didn't want to have to bother with coming to Classic Hall to check out.

The manager took care of everything and I was soon on my way to the room. He didn't mention anything, but he put us in a preferred room!!! We booked standard. Already the pixie dust was flowing!!

Our room was diagonally across from Classic Hall, room 3162. We were equal distance from the Hippy Dippy Pool and the 50's Bowling Pin pool!! I took pictures of the view from our room, and we went to Everything Pop for lunch.

DSC_0944.jpg


DSC_0945.jpg


DSC_0946.jpg


First use of my new bag!

DSC_0947.jpg


DSC_0949.jpg


I hadn't noticed this Alice bag 2 weeks ago

DSC_0951.jpg


Anakin wanted grilled chicken. That was only available in an adults grilled chicken sandwich.

DSC_0954.jpg


I got hummus and bagel chips and a cup of strawberries with whip cream and chocolate sauce containers. Also a bowl of tomato bisque

DSC_0956.jpg


DSC_0957.jpg


DSC_0960.jpg



Dh got a side salad and ate what Anakin couldn't finish of his chicken.

DSC_0958.jpg


Along the way I was texting Ann to see if we'd be able to meet up. We had thought we'd see each other at the 7 dwarfs, but Anakin kept changing his mind. He wasn't sure if he wanted to see them or not if it meant getting in line early.

I knew we needed a plan of action for the party. We had a list of characters that Anakin wanted to see and those he didn't want to see. He didn't want to see Gaston or the Tremaines. Everyone else he wanted to see either really badly or just wanted to see. So we prioritized them in order. We all wanted to see the parade, the villians show and Wishes.

Up next...A DIS meet and fast friends.



 
I love the trip down memory lane of the boys! And those pictures of fantasyland...wow! Pumpkin spice funnel cake, adding that to my list for next fall!!!!!!! I did not know you and Ann had a dis meet....
 
Wow! I had a lot to catch up on.


Ewwwww! On the germs being spread! Yuck! This is why Scotty is squeamish about buffets. Me too.



I would love to do the Food and Wine Festival sometime. They used to have it here at DCA but they stopped during the building of Carsland. I hope they bring it back.
 

MNSSHP Part 1: DIS meet, Fast Friends and Dopey

DSC_0962.jpg

We chose to drive to the TTC rather than take the bus. We saw that the monorail closed at 8pm, so we knew the ferry was our mode of transportation back. We also noticed that the party was not sold out! That was a very good sign!!

DSC_0963.jpg

Several people did not "get" dh's costume. He now knows he will only wear it to Star Wars events. Lots of other people did "get" it, and he got lots of comments from cm who were SW fans.

The bag check and entrance were not very busy. It did not take us long to get into the park. Another good sign!!

DSC_0964.jpg


DSC_0967.jpg

We entered the park around 5pm. We found someone with wristbands. Asked he if she needed to see our tickets. She said no, which really surprised us. So without seeing our party tickets, she put the wristbands on each of us.

Our goal was to get in line at 5:30 for the 7 dwarfs. We passed by Princess Tiana's M&G and noticed Prince Naveen there too. We decided to get in line, but just as we got there they had closed it.

Little did we know, but Tankgirl427 and her cousin were the very last people at Tiana and Naveen before they closed the line.

We arrived to Jessie and Woody's M&G just as they were closing it off for the day. I asked where we wait for the 7 dwarfs. The CM told us to stand where we were, that someone would be back in a little while and open the queue for the 7 dwarfs.

The line began to form behind us. Annmarieda and I were texting. She was on her way and she was telling me that Tankgirl427 was already in line for the dwarfs too. I told her I didn't see her, but I'd keep an eye out for her.

The queue was opened and we were the first family of the night! There was a nice shady bench at the front of the line. It was very nice to be in the shade because it was a very hot day.

We played Star Wars trivia. Anakin caught lizards and bugs. The technical crew came and set up the props and turned on the lights for the jewels. Anakin tried out Grumpy's chair.

DSC_0968.jpg

Tankgirl427 (Betsy) did get in line. She told us she was just at Naveen and Tiana. We had a nice conversation about the ToT race she and Ann had run the day before. It was really nice to meet her and wave hello to her cousin who was holding their spot in line.

Not too much longer, along came Ann and Zoe!

DSC_0970.jpg


DSC_0972.jpg

Zoe and Anakin became fast friends. They talked up a storm. While they were talking, a young Snow White stood off to the side watching them. I asked her if she would like to talk with them. She was very eager to join in. The three of them played for nearly an hour as we waited for the dwarfs to make their debut.

DSC_0975.jpg


DSC_0976.jpg


The CMs joined in the play too!

DSC_0977.jpg


DSC_0980.jpg


DSC_0980.jpg


DSC_0985.jpg


DSC_0986.jpg


DSC_0987.jpg

I checked my watch. It was 7:10. We were eagerly awaiting the Seven Dwarfs!











 
The kids sure looked like they were having fun together. I love how the CMs joined in on the fun.
 
love the photos of Anakin and his ladies, they are so cute!
 













Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top