Disney Nomads ... 3 Resorts in 8 Nights! ALL NEW 9/2!

[Backstage_Gal]

man, bummed about hearing about le Cellier. we have an ADR for Lunch there for our canlelight processional meal. we love the pretzel bread. thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure to tell our server to bring extra!

Lunch lined up for Candlelight? Do I hear another trip coming up???

 

[Thumper_Man]

howdy all! we're back!

great chapter Laura! you're right, you can't beat waling to epcot. we once stayed at BCV (rented points, sorry), had lunch at Les Chefs De France, and brought our "doggy bags" back to the room!

as far as the "champagne", marita is right, it's a liquor liscence issue. it's the same over at Universal. you can walk all around Royal Pacifc resort with a drink.. you can walk all around City Walk with a drink. but not between the two.

we were strollin along the walkway from royal pacifc to City walk with a "sipper". No! NO! you must finish your cocktail before you enter. .. but.. but.. in 5 feet we can buy a drink at Jimmy buffets and walk around with it!... yes you can, and you'll have to, cause you have to finish the one you have here and now!
(um, unless it is vodka in a sunnyD bottle....)

man, bummed about hearing about le Cellier. we have an ADR for Lunch there for our canlelight processional meal. we love the pretzel bread. thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure to tell our server to bring extra!

Lunch lined up for Candlelight? Do I hear another trip coming up???

Lady H and I have lunch lined up for a CP as well. Hmmm. This could get interesting if they do.

Thanks for the tip Laura. We'll keep that in mind when we go in December.

 

[monymony3471]

 

[laura74]

I found another funny report and you know I have good taste because I told you about Mirage. Go read this one!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45805337&postcount=1

 

[jedijill]

I found another funny report and you know I have good taste because I told you about Mirage. Go read this one!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45805337&postcount=1

Argh!!! You are feeding my addiction!!!!

Jill in CO

 

[Thumper_Man]

I found another funny report and you know I have good taste because I told you about Mirage. Go read this one!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45805337&postcount=1

Before I start on another TR, I have my own to work on, Nebo's to read and most importantly, not so patiently waiting for you to post another chapter. Been 2 weeks now and I know your report can't be over yet.

 

[laura74]

Before I start on another TR, I have my own to work on, Nebo's to read and most importantly, not so patiently waiting for you to post another chapter. Been 2 weeks now and I know your report can't be over yet.

I know. I'll try to get something Sunday.

Or maybe I should hold out until I get a T-man song...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Thumper_Man]

I know. I'll try to get something Sunday.

Or maybe I should hold out until I get a T-man song...

A song you say. You drive a hard bargain. I just barely caught up and now you want a song? Oh the pressure.

Give me some time to think of one. Any particular genre of music you like more than others?

 

[shan23877]

Thanks for the link Laura! I'm in need of good TRs to read since you no longer need our love and devotion.

Seriously- missing your updates!

 

[laura74]

Argh!!! You are feeding my addiction!!!!

Jill in CO

It's a funny one though, right?

A song you say. You drive a hard bargain. I just barely caught up and now you want a song? Oh the pressure.

Give me some time to think of one. Any particular genre of music you like more than others?

I pretty much listen to whatever someone else has on. If Monkston is in the car, it's Radio Disney and if Squid is, he monopolizes the radio and depending on his mood it's garage bands, Sinatra, 80s or 60s. I like pretty much anything.

Thanks for the link Laura! I'm in need of good TRs to read since you no longer need our love and devotion.

Seriously- missing your updates!

I'm so behind. We had guests for the weekend a couple weeks ago and last week I was at the beach for a girls weekend. And as Ponzi says, work is making me work. I hope to get something done on Sunday. If someone (looking at you Shannon) didn't update like a madwoman, maybe I'd have time.

 

[Aussiesalad]

Thanks again for the plug!

I have only just started reading your TR and already it's hilarious! You are too funny!

I am going to have a million things to say once I get a few pages in, but I am really enjoying myself so far and have laughed awkwardly out loud quite a few times already!!

 

[MisterSquid]

Hey, MisterSquid, do you like the Great Movie Ride and Carousel of Progress because they make great napping places? (My DD said to ask you.)

Sorry, I’m about seven pages behind this question. I guess I’m drawn to nostalgia. The attractions I enjoy the most are the things that would have astounded me (or did astound me) when I was six. The World’s Fairish stuff.

 

[MisterSquid]

I needed to break this post into two posts because now, I'm eligible to post links!

Also, on my to-do list is to visit Flushing, New York to see what’s left of the World’s Fair (although I've read it's dangerous after dark).

And also, visiting a piano store in Edison, NJ, in hopes of meeting owner, Mark Gutkowski, who was the original singer/keyboardist of The 1910 Fruitgum Company!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OjTYTZ8-Tw&feature=related

 

[mmeb144]

Also, on my to-do list is to visit Flushing, New York to see what’s left of the World’s Fair (although I've read it's dangerous after dark).

Cool World's Fair pic. Gotta love a big dinosaur!

I wouldn't visit after dark, just sayin'.

 

[laura74]

Today is Mr. Squid’s birthday. Happy birthday Mr. Squid!

Monkston and I have been up for a while and are letting the birthday boy sleep while we huddle in the vanity area. Because I’m mother of the year, I’ve given her the last of the stale cinnamon rolls. I’m going to tough it out with just coffee because we have reservations at Kouzzina.

“Where are we going today, Mommy?”

“Let’s let Daddy decide.”

The only plans we’ve made so far are breakfast and moving to our new home in Kidani for the next three nights. Oh, and a birthday dinner at Jiko, but’s that’s way off. We still have a whole day to fill.

Mr. Squid wakes up, and after we’re all ready, we start packing up. This isn’t really as arduous as it would seem since we never fully UNpacked. We do have some decisions to make about what food travels with us though.

“What should I do with this? Should we bring it?” I hear Mr. Squid say. I look over and he’s holding up the gouda he’s been saving since way back at Bay Lake Tower.

“I can’t believe you’re still carrying that! No, I don’t think we need the gouda.”

“How about this?”

“I think we can throw out the leftover pizza too.”

“This?”

He’s holding up the leftover caramel corn, which is really more full than leftover. I’m torn. It’s really not very good, but I think I paid $36 for it and I don’t want it to go to waste.

“Ok. Bring it. Maybe Monkston will be hungry later.”

See? Mother of the year.

I forgot to mention that in addition to the caramel corn I had gotten some weird snacks and drinks for Mr. Squid in Japan yesterday. We pack those up too.

We’re all done packing and it only took about 15 minutes. Anyone on the fence about a split stay should know that it’s really not difficult.

We call bell services and 5 minutes later someone is at the door for our luggage. Easy peasy.

We check in at Kouzzina and while we’re waiting for our table, I look at Kat Cora’s family photos hanging in the lobby. I think that’s a nice, homey touch.

The hostess comes back and we’re seated at a table right next to the open kitchen. I’m so excited to watch the chefs in action.

Our server, let’s call her Britney, arrives and Mr. Squid has questions about the coffee frappe and how closely it resembles a frappucino. After some discussion, he decides to try it and I order a pressed pot of coffee. She then tells us that the rather serious, no-nonsense woman in the kitchen is Dee, who is Kat Cora’s sous chef on Iron Chef. Wow! A celebrity! Sort of.

Here’s her picture.

She didn’t look that happy though. Maybe it’s the wine.

“What are you getting?” asks Mr. Squid.

“The stacked breakfast.”

(Here is the description from allears. Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - Two Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive Toast, Artichoke Spread, and Sweet Potato Hash with choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage $11.99)

“Will I be jealous of your breakfast if I don’t order it?”

“I don’t want to take responsibility for your breakfast enjoyment. Why don’t we ask Britney?”

It’s a good thing that this place isn’t crowded because we’re acting like tea drinkers. (I’m looking at you, Smidgy and Shannon.)

Britney comes back with our drinks and tells us that the stacked breakfast is her favorite and that the artichoke spread is to die for. That’s all Mr. Squid needs to hear. Sold!

Did I mention that Britney is very pretty?

While we’re waiting we take some pictures because that’s the kind of trip reporter I am. I only take photos when I’m bored and waiting for food. So here is another set photos featuring the laura74 family sitting at a restaurant table.

I know. Pathetic. You have to admit the one with Mr. Squid is pretty funny though. Next trip I promise to take pictures of thing people are actually interested in.

We pass the time watching the chefs in action. This looks nothing like any of the restaurant kitchens I remember from my waitressing days. These chefs barely talk. They aren’t throwing pans in the sink. They aren’t cursing at the servers. They are so calm and organized. I fear they may be animatronic.

“Squid, this is so weird. Every chef I’ve ever worked with has been a megalomaniac jerk. These guys seem too nice to be chefs. I haven’t seen anyone getting yelled at yet. I’ve never worked in a restaurant where the chef didn’t yell at the servers.”

“This is Disney.”

“I don’t know. They’re like Stepford chefs.”

Britney arrives with our food and I ask her, “The chefs seem so nice here. When I was a server, the chefs yelled at us all the time. Are they always like this?”

“Oh no! There’s another kitchen in the back. That’s the yelling kitchen.”

Ah. Mystery solved.

Monkston seems to be enjoying her Mickey waffles. Squid and I both agree that the stacked breakfast is good but we would rather have a more savory potato hash. I was curious about how the sweet potato hash would go with this dish but I assumed that Kat Cora knew better than I.

Mr. Squid says he wants to go to Epcot so that is where we head. On the way he points out the Beach Club and that he and Monkston had explored it a bit yesterday. He says he doesn’t mind if I want to go over and see the pool so we make a detour to Stormalong Bay.

We ask the cast member stationed outside to keep out the undesirables if we can go in for a few minutes to look around. I guess we look trustworthy because she lets us in.

The pool is huge with a lazy river winding around under bridges. It looks like so much fun…and a lot of points. I like the atmosphere at Boardwalk better but this pool is pretty darn tempting.

“What do you think Squid? Should we try this place next year? Maybe we can stay here in a studio for a couple nights so we don’t use up all our points. But then, look over there. The Boardwalk is so much fun and so pretty. I guess we can walk over to visit though.”

I’m babbling.

I feel a little sad to leave this area. I mean, look at us. We are walking to Epcot! No bus. No long trek to the front entrance. We just go through the gateway, and voila, we’re in France!

Monkston has brought the Duffy she started last night. We have not escaped the Kidcot stations after all. She has decided that she wants to visit all of them.

Mr. Squid takes Monkston to get her Duffy signed while I look at all the French Country kitchen things. Someday maybe I’ll have a new kitchen... Squid?

Next we stop in Morocco but it’s a quick stop because we’re not that interested in the stores there. Tabouleh, yes. Fez hats, no.

We always spend a lot of time in the Misukoshi store. My favorite time there was when Monkston was in first grade and we bought her a kimono before our dinner at Tappan Edo.

Look how cute!

Last year, we credited Monkston’s purchase of the good fortune cat with our buying DVC so she was anxious to buy another cat. There was much examining of the different knick knacks but in the end she decides not to get one.

Next is the saddest of the pavilions, America. Why oh why does Disney not show us off better for the international guests? Just take a look at the menu in Liberty Tavern. Cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs! There is so much great regional American cuisine to choose from. Jambalaya? New England Chowder? Shrimp and grits? Southern fried chicken? Chili? There are plenty of fast food items that would better represent our country. And the gift shop just has a bunch of red, white and blue junk.

They did have some nice topiary, though.

On our way to Italy, Mr. Squid says he wants to stop at the DVC booth. We haven’t given up trying to convince the Sheena family to join so we want to find out what their latest promos are.

DVC Dennis tells us that they have an extra points promotion. He tells us that if we want to buy 20 points, we get an extra 30.

“Really?” Squid says. “That sounds too good to be true.”

We tell Dennis that we’re trying to convince our friends to join DVC, not at all for the referral bonus, and does he have any information for us.

He says we can fill out a card with their info and they can send them so materials.

“We don’t want anyone calling and bothering them.”

He assures us that no one will pester them so we fill out the forms. Dennis takes a look at the card.

“Does Druid have red hair and a red-headed son with glasses? I think he was wearing a St. Patrick’s Day shirt.”

Mr. Squid and I look at each other, minds blown.

“Yes! He does! Was he here yesterday?”

“No, actually I talked to him at the Magic Kingdom booth yesterday. The name was unusual which is why I remembered it today,” he says.

“I can’t wait to tell them this story at dinner tonight!” I say.

We make a quick stop in Italy and then move on to Germany. The cast member at the Kidcot stop is the least friendly we’ve encountered. He looks very put out that we’ve bothered him and sighs when we ask if he would write something in German on Monkston’s Duffy. (That sounds so wrong, doesn’t it? Monkston’s duffy.)

On the way to China, we stop at the outpost and the cast member tells us that the beaded bracelets are made out of discarded Disney paper and that proceeds help people in Africa. I’m sold.

We spend quite a while in the China pavilion store Monkston has money to burn and it’s been a day since she’s bought something. She’s getting restless.

Since she’s spending her own money, this could be a lengthy process. She sees some kids in the corner playing with the spinning plates, or should I say spinning Frisbees. A cast member comes over and shows us how to do it but of course it is not as easy as he makes it look. Monkston says she wants to buy one. Mr. Squid looks at the price tag and sees they want $20 for a Frisbee and a stick.

We all decide this is not a wise purchase and she moves on to the mood cats. She decides on two and we head over to Norway. After wading through a sea of tiny princesses and strollers, we find the next Kidcot station.

One more to go. We’ve convinced Monkston to skip Great Britain and Canada so Mexico is the last stop.

Mexican Small World anyone? At least there’s no line.

We decide to go all the way to the front of the park to visit Monkston’s legacy photo. We do this every year, and every year we forget where it is. Do we take a photo of the location? No, we do not. We do have a photo of Monkston pointing to her 4-year-old self though.

“Do you guys want to go on Spaceship Earth or did you do that yesterday?” Squid asks.

“I completely forgot about Spaceship Earth yesterday! How did I manage to forget the giant silver ball?”

There’s no line and Monkston and I get in the front of the vehicle with Mr. Squid in the back. I’m not crazy about the Judy Dench voice. They should really use Mr. Monorail voice! Wouldn’t that be awesome?

We pose for our picture on the way up and I’m convinced that this will be the best Spaceship Earth photo of me ever.

Ride along, ride along, communication is great, inventions, blah, blah, blah. Finally, interactive time! We love this part. We enter all our info. This is going to be great. I can’t wait. Our picture comes up and we have cartoon faces. Where is the terrific photo of me? Where is Monkston? Unfair!

Squid is afraid of Soarin’, Monkston won’t go on Test Track, so that leaves…

Captain EO again! Time to torment Mr. Squid with bad 80s music and hair! I am sure this will lead to his anger over the disintegration of good music in the mid-80s.

This should be fun!

 

[mmeb144]

Next trip I promise to take pictures of thing people are actually interested in.

I like seeing pics of your family. I imagine how happy my family would be to be at the restaurant and not in the kitchen, again. See, I can live through your family pics.

 

[smidgy]

I needed to break this post into two posts because now, I'm eligible to post links!

Also, on my to-do list is to visit Flushing, New York to see what’s left of the World’s Fair (although I've read it's dangerous after dark).

And also, visiting a piano store in Edison, NJ, in hopes of meeting owner, Mark Gutkowski, who was the original singer/keyboardist of The 1910 Fruitgum Company!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OjTYTZ8-Tw&feature=related

boy! did you just bring me back in time.. of course, I had to listen to other songs by the 1910 Fruitgum company (indian Giver, and 1,2,3 red light. bubble gum music at it's best, from my past!!!

Today is Mr. Squid’s birthday. Happy birthday Mr. Squid!
happy belated birthday mr. squid!

Monkston and I have been up for a while and are letting the birthday boy sleep while we huddle in the vanity area. Because I’m mother of the year, I’ve given her the last of the stale cinnamon rolls. I’m going to tough it out with just coffee because we have reservations at Kouzzina.

“Where are we going today, Mommy?”

“Let’s let Daddy decide.”

The only plans we’ve made so far are breakfast and moving to our new home in Kidani for the next three nights. Oh, and a birthday dinner at Jiko, but’s that’s way off. We still have a whole day to fill.

Mr. Squid wakes up, and after we’re all ready, we start packing up. This isn’t really as arduous as it would seem since we never fully UNpacked. We do have some decisions to make about what food travels with us though.

“What should I do with this? Should we bring it?” I hear Mr. Squid say. I look over and he’s holding up the gouda he’s been saving since way back at Bay Lake Tower.

“I can’t believe you’re still carrying that! No, I don’t think we need the gouda.”

“How about this?”

“I think we can throw out the leftover pizza too.”
just yesterday I threw out lousy leftover pizza from a pizza hut in perry , GA on our way back!


“This?”

He’s holding up the leftover caramel corn, which is really more full than leftover. I’m torn. It’s really not very good, but I think I paid $36 for it and I don’t want it to go to waste.

“Ok. Bring it. Maybe Monkston will be hungry later.”

See? Mother of the year.

I forgot to mention that in addition to the caramel corn I had gotten some weird snacks and drinks for Mr. Squid in Japan yesterday. We pack those up too.

We’re all done packing and it only took about 15 minutes. Anyone on the fence about a split stay should know that it’s really not difficult.
I can't tell you how much I agree with you on this. it really doesn't take that long to pack and unpack, and SO worth it!


We call bell services and 5 minutes later someone is at the door for our luggage. Easy peasy.

We check in at Kouzzina and while we’re waiting for our table, I look at Kat Cora’s family photos hanging in the lobby. I think that’s a nice, homey touch.

The hostess comes back and we’re seated at a table right next to the open kitchen. I’m so excited to watch the chefs in action.

Our server, let’s call her Britney, arrives and Mr. Squid has questions about the coffee frappe and how closely it resembles a frappucino. After some discussion, he decides to try it and I order a pressed pot of coffee. She then tells us that the rather serious, no-nonsense woman in the kitchen is Dee, who is Kat Cora’s sous chef on Iron Chef. Wow! A celebrity! Sort of.

Here’s her picture.

She didn’t look that happy though. Maybe it’s the wine.

“What are you getting?” asks Mr. Squid.

“The stacked breakfast.”

(Here is the description from allears. Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - Two Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive Toast, Artichoke Spread, and Sweet Potato Hash with choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage $11.99)

“Will I be jealous of your breakfast if I don’t order it?”

“I don’t want to take responsibility for your breakfast enjoyment. Why don’t we ask Britney?”

It’s a good thing that this place isn’t crowded because we’re acting like tea drinkers. (I’m looking at you, Smidgy and Shannon.)
thanks for the shout out! tea drinkers unite!!!

Britney comes back with our drinks and tells us that the stacked breakfast is her favorite and that the artichoke spread is to die for. That’s all Mr. Squid needs to hear. Sold!

Did I mention that Britney is very pretty?

While we’re waiting we take some pictures because that’s the kind of trip reporter I am. I only take photos when I’m bored and waiting for food. So here is another set photos featuring the laura74 family sitting at a restaurant table.

I know. Pathetic. You have to admit the one with Mr. Squid is pretty funny though. Next trip I promise to take pictures of thing people are actually interested in.

We pass the time watching the chefs in action. This looks nothing like any of the restaurant kitchens I remember from my waitressing days. These chefs barely talk. They aren’t throwing pans in the sink. They aren’t cursing at the servers. They are so calm and organized. I fear they may be animatronic.
so ture. you have to have a thick skin to work anywhere near a kitchen. owners are particularly bad. I hate being yelled at, and I hate the "f" word. so, why am I a server?

“Squid, this is so weird. Every chef I’ve ever worked with has been a megalomaniac jerk. These guys seem too nice to be chefs. I haven’t seen anyone getting yelled at yet. I’ve never worked in a restaurant where the chef didn’t yell at the servers.”

“This is Disney.”

“I don’t know. They’re like Stepford chefs.”

Britney arrives with our food and I ask her, “The chefs seem so nice here. When I was a server, the chefs yelled at us all the time. Are they always like this?”

“Oh no! There’s another kitchen in the back. That’s the yelling kitchen.”

Ah. Mystery solved.

Monkston seems to be enjoying her Mickey waffles. Squid and I both agree that the stacked breakfast is good but we would rather have a more savory potato hash. I was curious about how the sweet potato hash would go with this dish but I assumed that Kat Cora knew better than I.

Mr. Squid says he wants to go to Epcot so that is where we head. On the way he points out the Beach Club and that he and Monkston had explored it a bit yesterday. He says he doesn’t mind if I want to go over and see the pool so we make a detour to Stormalong Bay.

We ask the cast member stationed outside to keep out the undesirables if we can go in for a few minutes to look around. I guess we look trustworthy because she lets us in.

The pool is huge with a lazy river winding around under bridges. It looks like so much fun…and a lot of points. I like the atmosphere at Boardwalk better but this pool is pretty darn tempting.

“What do you think Squid? Should we try this place next year? Maybe we can stay here in a studio for a couple nights so we don’t use up all our points. But then, look over there. The Boardwalk is so much fun and so pretty. I guess we can walk over to visit though.”
try it, you will like beach club. it is such a short walk over to boardwalk, anyway!

I’m babbling.

I feel a little sad to leave this area. I mean, look at us. We are walking to Epcot! No bus. No long trek to the front entrance. We just go through the gateway, and voila, we’re in France!

Monkston has brought the Duffy she started last night. We have not escaped the Kidcot stations after all. She has decided that she wants to visit all of them.

Mr. Squid takes Monkston to get her Duffy signed while I look at all the French Country kitchen things. Someday maybe I’ll have a new kitchen... Squid?

Next we stop in Morocco but it’s a quick stop because we’re not that interested in the stores there. Tabouleh, yes. Fez hats, no.

We always spend a lot of time in the Misukoshi store. My favorite time there was when Monkston was in first grade and we bought her a kimono before our dinner at Tappan Edo.

Look how cute!

Last year, we credited Monkston’s purchase of the good fortune cat with our buying DVC so she was anxious to buy another cat. There was much examining of the different knick knacks but in the end she decides not to get one.

Next is the saddest of the pavilions, America. Why oh why does Disney not show us off better for the international guests? Just take a look at the menu in Liberty Tavern. Cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs! There is so much great regional American cuisine to choose from. Jambalaya? New England Chowder? Shrimp and grits? Southern fried chicken? Chili? There are plenty of fast food items that would better represent our country. And the gift shop just has a bunch of red, white and blue junk.

They did have some nice topiary, though.

On our way to Italy, Mr. Squid says he wants to stop at the DVC booth. We haven’t given up trying to convince the Sheena family to join so we want to find out what their latest promos are.

DVC Dennis tells us that they have an extra points promotion. He tells us that if we want to buy 20 points, we get an extra 30.

“Really?” Squid says. “That sounds too good to be true.”

We tell Dennis that we’re trying to convince our friends to join DVC, not at all for the referral bonus, and does he have any information for us.

He says we can fill out a card with their info and they can send them so materials.

“We don’t want anyone calling and bothering them.”

He assures us that no one will pester them so we fill out the forms. Dennis takes a look at the card.

“Does Druid have red hair and a red-headed son with glasses? I think he was wearing a St. Patrick’s Day shirt.”

Mr. Squid and I look at each other, minds blown.

“Yes! He does! Was he here yesterday?”

“No, actually I talked to him at the Magic Kingdom booth yesterday. The name was unusual which is why I remembered it today,” he says.

“I can’t wait to tell them this story at dinner tonight!” I say.

We make a quick stop in Italy and then move on to Germany. The cast member at the Kidcot stop is the least friendly we’ve encountered. He looks very put out that we’ve bothered him and sighs when we ask if he would write something in German on Monkston’s Duffy. (That sounds so wrong, doesn’t it? Monkston’s duffy.)

On the way to China, we stop at the outpost and the cast member tells us that the beaded bracelets are made out of discarded Disney paper and that proceeds help people in Africa. I’m sold.

We spend quite a while in the China pavilion store Monkston has money to burn and it’s been a day since she’s bought something. She’s getting restless.

Since she’s spending her own money, this could be a lengthy process. She sees some kids in the corner playing with the spinning plates, or should I say spinning Frisbees. A cast member comes over and shows us how to do it but of course it is not as easy as he makes it look. Monkston says she wants to buy one. Mr. Squid looks at the price tag and sees they want $20 for a Frisbee and a stick.

We all decide this is not a wise purchase and she moves on to the mood cats. She decides on two and we head over to Norway. After wading through a sea of tiny princesses and strollers, we find the next Kidcot station.

One more to go. We’ve convinced Monkston to skip Great Britain and Canada so Mexico is the last stop.

Mexican Small World anyone? At least there’s no line.

We decide to go all the way to the front of the park to visit Monkston’s legacy photo. We do this every year, and every year we forget where it is. Do we take a photo of the location? No, we do not. We do have a photo of Monkston pointing to her 4-year-old self though.

“Do you guys want to go on Spaceship Earth or did you do that yesterday?” Squid asks.

“I completely forgot about Spaceship Earth yesterday! How did I manage to forget the giant silver ball?”

There’s no line and Monkston and I get in the front of the vehicle with Mr. Squid in the back. I’m not crazy about the Judy Dench voice. They should really use Mr. Monorail voice! Wouldn’t that be awesome?

We pose for our picture on the way up and I’m convinced that this will be the best Spaceship Earth photo of me ever.

Ride along, ride along, communication is great, inventions, blah, blah, blah. Finally, interactive time! We love this part. We enter all our info. This is going to be great. I can’t wait. Our picture comes up and we have cartoon faces. Where is the terrific photo of me? Where is Monkston? Unfair!

Squid is afraid of Soarin’, Monkston won’t go on Test Track, so that leaves…

Captain EO again! Time to torment Mr. Squid with bad 80s music and hair! I am sure this will lead to his anger over the disintegration of good music in the mid-80s.

This should be fun!

great chapter, Laura!!!!

 

[pkondz]

Because I’m mother of the year, I’ve given her the last of the stale cinnamon rolls.

You are?? Wow! Congratulations!

Did you get a crown or a tiara?

Either way, awesome.

I’m going to tough it out with just coffee because we have reservations at Kouzzina.

I think you're the first person I know who's been there.

“What should I do with this? Should we bring it?” I hear Mr. Squid say. I look over and he’s holding up the gouda he’s been saving since way back at Bay Lake Tower.

Hey! It's the Gouda! I remember the gouda.

Good times.

“I can’t believe you’re still carrying that! No, I don’t think we need the gouda.”

But he packed it again, right?

He’s holding up the leftover caramel corn, which is really more full than leftover. I’m torn. It’s really not very good, but I think I paid $36 for it and I don’t want it to go to waste.

“Ok. Bring it. Maybe Monkston will be hungry later.”

See? Mother of the year.

I forgot to mention that in addition to the caramel corn I had gotten some weird snacks and drinks for Mr. Squid in Japan yesterday. We pack those up too.

You'll throw out perfectly good old pizza but keep the 'weird snacks'.

Check.

We call bell services and 5 minutes later someone is at the door for our luggage. Easy peasy.

Lemon squeazy.

Sorry.

Had to.

The hostess comes back and we’re seated at a table right next to the open kitchen. I’m so excited to watch the chefs in action.

That's cool. I remember a few years ago I visited my DSis. We went to a restaurant with an open kitchen. There were tables and also you could sit 'bar-style' up close and watch the action. We sat there and it was a lot of fun. I couldn't understand the other patrons who were seated at various tables and never even glanced at the kitchen.

She then tells us that the rather serious, no-nonsense woman in the kitchen is Dee, who is Kat Cora’s sous chef on Iron Chef. Wow! A celebrity! Sort of.

Cool!

She didn’t look that happy though. Maybe it’s the wine.

Wine will do that.

It’s a good thing that this place isn’t crowded because we’re acting like tea drinkers. (I’m looking at you, Smidgy and Shannon.)

'dem's fightin' words!

Did I mention that Britney is very pretty?

No, please post pictures. Lots of pictures.

While we’re waiting we take some pictures because that’s the kind of trip reporter I am.

All right!!

Nice hair and nice top.

I know. Pathetic. You have to admit the one with Mr. Squid is pretty funny though. Next trip I promise to take pictures of thing people are actually interested in.

You're doing just fine.

We pass the time watching the chefs in action. This looks nothing like any of the restaurant kitchens I remember from my waitressing days. These chefs barely talk. They aren’t throwing pans in the sink. They aren’t cursing at the servers. They are so calm and organized. I fear they may be animatronic.

Carousel of Kouzzina?

“I don’t know. They’re like Stepford chefs.”

Ooohh... I like how you think.

“Oh no! There’s another kitchen in the back. That’s the yelling kitchen.”

In the back?? Where's the fun in that?

I was curious about how the sweet potato hash would go with this dish but I assumed that Kat Cora knew better than I.

Apparently, not so much.

We ask the cast member stationed outside to keep out the undesirables if we can go in for a few minutes to look around. I guess we look trustworthy because she lets us in.

Nah. It can't be that. Maybe the CM was just lazy.

I feel a little sad to leave this area. I mean, look at us. We are walking to Epcot! No bus. No long trek to the front entrance. We just go through the gateway, and voila, we’re in France!

That is a pretty nice perk. And they have wild animals too! Well, have you seen what some of the kids are wearing these days???

Monkston has brought the Duffy she started last night. We have not escaped the Kidcot stations after all. She has decided that she wants to visit all of them.

ouch. I'm sorry for you... I really, really am.

Next we stop in Morocco but it’s a quick stop because we’re not that interested in the stores there. Tabouleh, yes. Fez hats, no.

Shouldn't everyone have at least one fez hat? It could be this years black.

Oh, wait... orange is, isn't it?

'kay... next year.

Look how cute!

Absolutely!

Next is the saddest of the pavilions, America. Why oh why does Disney not show us off better for the international guests? Just take a look at the menu in Liberty Tavern. Cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs! There is so much great regional American cuisine to choose from. Jambalaya? New England Chowder? Shrimp and grits? Southern fried chicken? Chili? There are plenty of fast food items that would better represent our country. And the gift shop just has a bunch of red, white and blue junk.

That's very interesting. As a Canadian, I never gave it a second thought... but you're right. There's much, much more to American cuisine then burgers and dogs. Yes they are quintessential Americana... but... you get that everywhere.

Then again, I've never been in the Canada pavilion so maybe it's just as bad.

“Does Druid have red hair and a red-headed son with glasses? I think he was wearing a St. Patrick’s Day shirt.”

Mr. Squid and I look at each other, minds blown.

What are the odds?!

“I can’t wait to tell them this story at dinner tonight!” I say.

Can't wait to hear their reactions.

We make a quick stop in Italy and then move on to Germany. The cast member at the Kidcot stop is the least friendly we’ve encountered. He looks very put out that we’ve bothered him and sighs when we ask if he would write something in German on Monkston’s Duffy.

Probably because you weren't doing it efficiently enough.

Oh, settle down. I'm part German, so it's allowed.

(That sounds so wrong, doesn’t it? Monkston’s duffy.)

"Turn around honey. Let the nice man sign your duffy."

We spend quite a while in the China pavilion store Monkston has money to burn and it’s been a day since she’s bought something.

One more place I haven't been. I have got to spend more time in world showcase!

Mr. Squid looks at the price tag and sees they want $20 for a Frisbee and a stick.

We all decide this is not a wise purchase and she moves on to the mood cats.

Good call.

One more to go. We’ve convinced Monkston to skip Great Britain and Canada

Hey!

so Mexico is the last stop.

Welll... okay. I guess you've sacrificed enough already.

Mexican Small World anyone? At least there’s no line.

No. <sigh> Haven't done that either...

We decide to go all the way to the front of the park to visit Monkston’s legacy photo. We do this every year, and every year we forget where it is. Do we take a photo of the location? No, we do not. We do have a photo of Monkston pointing to her 4-year-old self though.

That's nice. I like that. A legacy she can some day take her kids and grandkids to see.

“I completely forgot about Spaceship Earth yesterday! How did I manage to forget the giant silver ball?”

Silver? I've always thought of it as white. I googled it and a lot of images look silver and some look white.

Our picture comes up and we have cartoon faces. Where is the terrific photo of me? Where is Monkston? Unfair!

I would write a letter of strenuous protest!

Squid is afraid of Soarin’, Monkston won’t go on Test Track, so that leaves…

Captain EO again! Time to torment Mr. Squid with bad 80s music and hair! I am sure this will lead to his anger over the disintegration of good music in the mid-80s.

This should be fun!

Another fun update Laura!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Hey, I worked with Chef Dee 2004-2005 at Pop. I didnt know she got to be a semi-celebrity She has a long Greek name too.

Another great update, Laura

 

[monymony3471]

Because of you, we sat through Captain EO for the first time.

Yep!