I didn't have any problems packing my stuff up to go home, as I my bags hadn't been competely full. My parents on the other hand, were having lots of difficulties getting their bags zipped. We all got a bit dressed up for dinner tonight (well dressy for Disney - sundresses for my mom and me, and slacks and a polo top for dad), and headed over to the California Grill. This was the ADR that we were looking forward to the most. It's Mickey and Minnie's favorite when they go to Disney without the girls and they couldn't stop raving about it the last time they went. When we needed one more ADR for our trip mom picked CG. I always get a bit nervous going to places that people rave about, but we were hopeful that it would live up to expectations.
It took us an hour to get to the Contemporary. We hopped on the first bus that showed up, headed to MGM and then caught a bus to the resort. Next time I'll just pay for the cab. When your dressed for a nice dinner, it really takes away from it to be crammed into a bus with a bunch of people who are soaked from the parks. Plus it was just way too time consuming. I had worn a pair of low heeled sandals with my dress, and they were already getting very uncomfortable. I don't know why, because I've never had any problems wearing them before. This trip though my feet were sliding too far forward in them, and the little thong between my toes was digging in. Ugh!
We made it to the Contemporary finally and checked in at the desk on the main floor. Our ADR was at 9pm, and we checked in at about 8:30 or so. I was afraid from other trip reports that everyone would be lingering and we'd be lucky if we made it upstairs before the fireworks at 10pm. No problems though. We actually got seated a bit early. We had just stopped at the restrooms when our buzzer started going off. We headed over to the express elevator, and once we hit the top floor were seated immediately.
I had been hoping for a window seat, but I hadn't bother actually making an offical request. I know everyone can go out on the deck, but with the rainy weather, I was really hoping I could sit from the comfort of my own chair inside the restaurant and watch. As our host went to seat us, she told us congratulations you got a window seat. As she brought us to the corner of the restaurant nearest the outdoor pation, I was thinking WOW! We didn't get just any window seat, we got the best window seat in the entire place. A fact that our server confirmed for us when he came over and told us we had the best view in the place.
We felt like we'd been sprinkled with a whole bucket of pixie dust. After all the stress leading up to this vacation with the funeral and everything, it felt wonderful. It was still raining outside, so the view wasn't the clearest as the windows were quite wet, but still we had the best head on view of the castle in the restaurant.
Things only got better when they started bringing us our food. We all ordered different flatbreads for our appetizers, and divied them up so we all got to try all three. All three were delicious. So good that I'd go to California Grill just for a dinner of the flatbreads. I had the heirloom tomato flatbread, which was utterly devine. It was probably the lightest of the 3 and the flavors of the tomatos and provolone was delicious. My father's roast chicken flatbread was even better. I didn't think I was going to like it, as it had a lemon mayonaise on it and I detest mayo. I decieded to live dangerously and try a bite anyways. I'm so glad I did. The flatbread had no mayo taste at all though. It was delicious, and I'm glad that I tried it anyways. My mom's was pretty good too. She had the Sicilian flatbread. It was the only one of the 3 that was a bit spicy, but really good.
We all had the oak fired filet for dinner. Soooo good! You could cut it with a butter knife, or just your fork. The whole thing was drizzled with this fabulous teriyaki bbq sauce that I wanted to lick off the plate with I was done. I somehow held back, but used my delicious mashed potatos to sop up every last bit of the bbq sauce.
We all tried different desserts. I had the chocolate temptation, which was really good. The chocolate gelato was to die for. My father had the banana butterscotch buzz which he adored. He's a use crème brulee fan, and while he didn't like it as much as the maple crème brulee at Le Cellier, he still really loved it. My mom had the year of a million dreams honey crunch cake. Her favorite part was the ginger ice cream that it came with. It was delicious! The taste was so light and flavorful.
The fireworks started perfectly between courses. The rain finally stopped, and the window started clearing right before the fireworks started. It was amazing watching them from that view. I never realized before quite how far behind the castle some of them were set off. You could really tell from that vantage point. As we finished our meal we could see the Main St. Electrical parade lights twinkling in front of the castle. It was really a lovely night, and more than lived up to our expectations. Our server was phenomenal too. There when you needed something, but not hovering over you. Nothing was rushed. It was perfect. Brown Derby was my favorite Disney restaurant, but CG may have come out a bit on top after this trip. Mostly because it's much more of a leisurely meal. BD will have to be my favorite in-park restaurant.
We took our time finishing up and heading back to the monorail. We made it back to POFQ at about 12.15, and finished up our last minute packing.
We had a midday flight out the next day, as my nice evening flight had been canceled so we didn't bother getting up to go to the parks in the morning. We just took it easy around the resort, had a late breakfast, and then sat around in the lobby listening to jazz for awhile.
The flight home was uneventful, and we made good time on the drive home from the airport. The good thing about a mid day flight home is that your not completely exhausted when you get home. I was unpacked and the laundry started by 8:30 pm. While it was sad that our vacation was over, I was happy to see my own bed, and my car again.
And that's it. My trip report is done. I'll try to post a few last thoughts and my goodies to wrap things up.
Now all I have to do is come up with a witty, intelligent, creative title for my new pre-trip report. The stress! Who knew posting on the Dis could be so creatively taxing!
I have nothing against that accent, but not on Wendy! She's British!!!
She was thrilled when she got her set of toy power tools for Christmas and a new doll. She still loves those tools, and is always playing that she's fixing her house. That is definitely my brother's influence.
Bad LL!
