Exclusive Baby Gorilla Photos! (plus bonus Trip Report) - June '15 - completed 10/23 - Page 31

[nilla]

Next, we walked to the American Adventure, but there was still a while until the show started. We're not the first ones here, though:



I head back to Japan to grab a green tea, and this shot:



Now, it's back to America:



Inside now, where Kristin gets this photo:



Not sure I agree. We wath the show, we enjoy the show, and we exit. Emily's feeling patriotic now, so a slushie is in order:



We continue around World Showcase, snapping photos on the way:





We duck into Italy, where I find "those olives"!



The olives from Tutto Italia last year that made me fall in love with olives! Sadly, I don't remember what the name of them is. "Those olives" will have to do for now.

Anyway, I pass on "those olives", because they would probably result in "that disaster" when the jar inevitably broke in our luggage. I could always take part in the legendary "Olive Around Epcot" challenge, where you tour World Showcase while eating an entire jar of olives. I think I could do it.

In the end, we leave without buying anything, and we're moving on.

 

[nilla]

...to Germany!



And holy crap, they have coasters!



That was EXACTLY what I was looking for the other day. Big time win!

Kristin found pens at the crystal shop (it MIGHT be called "Der Krystal Shoppe", but I can't be sure) for her Mom and herself, and I got a grapefruit beer. For myself.

We continued on to our beloved China, where we watched the "My Beloved China" film (also known as "Impressions de China"), then did a belated good luck belly rub for the coaster find.



Hey, what luck! We found dog socks!



They're way too small for our dog, and she doesn't wear socks, anyway. But dog socks!

Em likes this headband:



Dylan got this wacky, impossible Rubik's Cube-like thing:



Check it out - Germany!



Wait, why are we back in Germany?

It turns out one of the pens Kristin got is defective, so back we go. Even exchange, and I grabbed another beer for our troubles.

More Germany pics...









...and that's it for Germany. Wait - aren't there are rides in this park? I believe there are. I believe there are rides in this park. And we have those FastPass thingies, that will get us in the short line for Test Track. And it's available NOW.

 

[nilla]

Dylan gets an apple soda in Mexico, and it's off to Test Track. The ride is surprisingly not THAT crowded, so we get to each design our own car. Here's mine:



I don't know who each of these belonged to:







That could be our last ride on TT for the year, and it was nice riding together!

It's almost time for our ADRs, so it's off to Canada, photos on the way:







Here we are!



(to be continued...)

 

[nilla]

To be continued, right now! I was going to just post that last part and leave the second half of the day for another update, but what the hey, let's just do all of Day 9 in one shot. Now, where were we?



Oh...Canada.

Sing it with me, everybody!

Canada
My Canada
You are north of the U.S.
and you're called "Canada"



Canada
Ohhhhhh...Canada
More celebrities than you know
come from Canada



But we're not here without a purpose. Tonight, we dine...in Canada.



Canada
Dine in...Canada
You can pay 35 bucks for
chickenandwafflesin Canada

A guy standing outside reading the menu alongside me commented on the c&w price, to which I channeled my inner March Hare and replied, "but it's the best chicken and waffles!" He agreed it would have to be.

For a little background, Le Cellier was a perennial favorite of ours, and a top...well, probably three for both of us. Then, it switched from one to two dining plan credits, and we haven't returned since, before tonight. So we're excited.

 

[nilla]

We head inside now. I have no idea what he's pointing at, but we must have thought it was cool at the time:



We're seated in the Idontrememberwhichprovincewewereseatedin section. They named the different sections of the restaurant after the provinces of Canada, though I'm not sure if there really is a difference between them. The sections of the restaurant - not the provinces. Calm down, Canadian readers. Here's our view:



Emily gets right to work:



Beverage orders are taken, and I get the Unibroue Maudite, what the brewery calls a "strong amber-red ale" "Characterized by a robust maltiness and spiciness that is counterbalanced by an assertive crisp hop finish." (thanks, Unibroue website!) And it was good. REALLY good.



Plus, the bottle's got spirits traveling skyward in a canoe to get to the afterlife or something. Seems like that would take FOREVER. But it looks like either a Magic: the Gathering card or 80's metal album cover, so it's all good with me.

No one else got anything interesting to drink, or at least photo-worthy. Kristin and I both got beer and cheese soup:



ALWAYS a winner. Especially when you dip the pretzel bread in it.

Service is a bit slow, so we bide the time by taking some photos:







Our waitress took that photo. She's not bad, but the service coming out of the kitchen is more than just a "bit slow". It was REALLY slow. And when service is slow, the kids find ways to entertain themselves, and each other. And that's usually in ways unbefitting of a two-credit Disney restaurant.

Finally, the food gets there. Kristin and I went Filet:



That was mine. Disney describes it as "Le Cellier Filet Mignon - AAA Canadian Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom Risotto, Heirloom Toy Box Tomatoes, Truffle-Butter Sauce". And it's GOOD. Kristin got it as well, but subbed out the risotto for...well, something. Hers looked like this:



No mac and cheese here, so Em got buttered noodles. So adventurous!



Dylan got "the best chicken and waffles", but he got...fries?



What was he thinking? I don't know, but the chicken was REALLY good. The waffles were probably amazing.

 

[nilla]

We finish eating, and now it's time to order dessert. Well, eventually, it is. As I said, service is REALLY slow.

And the kids are getting REALLY bad. And Kristin and I are getting REALLY frustrated with them.

Oh, good - here's dessert:



Maple Creme Brulee. Another legendary Le Cellier menu item. And it doesn't disappoint. Emily gets the Chocolate Moose:



Haha, get it? It's a MOOSE, but it's made out of MOUSSE. And it's CHOCOLATE. I don't care who you are; that gets a chuckle.

A moose. Oh, my. LOL.

So, it ended up being a pretty awful dinner in terms of the kids behavior (LOTS of hysterical laughter from them at dinner), but it was hard to blame them. We were in there FOREVER.

I won't hold it against LC, because they may have been short-staffed that day. And the food was amazing, as usual, but I'm still not sure I'm sold on it being worth two credits. There are a number of other places I'd try before coming back here, as long as this remains a "two".

But taking it at face value, the food was fantastic. And the place is really nice. But the experience was a bit draining. So not quite as anticipated.

Also, as much as I loved the filet, I still think the steak at Shutters was the best on the trip, so far.

 

[nilla]

After dinner, we took some more photos around our beloved Canada...













...and now, let's go see a movie!



Unfortunately, the last show just started, so we have a long wait until the next show. The kids want to wait here:



But we're not up for that. Let's head over to the UK. But first, more Canada photos!











Hey, look - it's Martin Short! Star of the classic films "Clifford" and "O'Canada!"!



Hey, look - it's us! Stars of the classic Trip Reports "These Kids Make Me Wish You Could Curse on the DISBoards" and "Exclusive Baby Gorilla Photos! (plus bonus trip report"!



I could totally balance on that.



Alright, on to the UK!

 

[nilla]

Since we're in the UK, the kids do the hedge maze:



Then, it's inside to shop. The following is mostly true!



No so much with the "time management" thing, though.

This shop's pretty cool:





Not a lot I want to buy here, though. With the possible exception of this:



But what, no Confuse-a-Cat shirt? No Scott of the Antarctic shirt? There needs to be a MUCH bigger selection. For me, who doesn't buy them anyway.

That suggestion logged, we head back outside, for one last photo in the UK for this year:



Aaaaaand back in the hedge maze:



Alright, another photo:



And more hedge maze:



And more UK:







Now, back to Canada! For real this time.

 

[nilla]

But first, Em has to make a call:



One more photo of the Eiffel Tower...



Hello again, Canada!



I have a soft spot in my heart for Canada, because our dog, Inky, has Canadian roots. At least, I think she does. I mean, Labrador Retriever, right?

Labradors
Ohhhhh, labradors
Probably from Canada
You crazy labradors

So, Canada!





Major construction in the background!



Though I didn't know it when we were there, I later found out this crane is being used in building the third Soarin' theater, which will be VERY welcome, in my eyes.

We have a brief wait for the film this time around, but still enough time for a quick round of Heads Up:



In we go. We love this film, and Martin Short is a riot in it.

We quickly go through the gift shop afterwards, and then it's back to Futureworld.

 

[nilla]

Clouds are looking cool again:



We're going to stick around for Illuminations again, since this will be our last night in Epcot for 2015

But this night's not done yet! We take one last ride on Test Track via the single rider line. That line is HIGHLY recommended, if you don't have FPs for it.

Speaking of FPs, we let our Spaceship Earth FPs expire, because really, we already rode it twice this trip. And it's time to watch Illuminations. But first, more photos!



A PhotoPass CM spots us and asks if we want him to take a family shot, using our camera. The answer to that question is a resounding "yes!"



Since we already saw Illuminations from the FP viewing area on Day 7, we're content to watch it from where we were in that last photo. We'll be the first ones out of this park, I tell ya. Another victory!

And because we did it this way, we are also able to take the following pictures without getting trampled:



Hey, I never saw that one before! Or this one:



Now, two photos with the girl standing in the middle of them:





Dylan likes them, too, and stops to take a photo. And another. And another. Man, how long is this going to take you?

We do the "walk away, and he'll eventually run after you" trick from Parenting 101, but he REALLY wants to take another picture. And another. Alright, enough is enough. I go back and get him, and we get our last photo of Epcot for the year:



Leaving this park for the last time always makes me sad, but we had three great days here. Can't hardly complain.

 

[nilla]

We got on the first bus (because we watched Illuminations from afar), and were back to CBR around 10:30. LOVE the proximity of the resort to the park.

When we return, we see the Duffs are already in bed:



Alright, that was my doing. After we got back. And Emily watched me do it. Mousekeeping was nowhere near that imaginative during this trip.

In spite of our late start today, we know we need to get to bed (relatively) early, so it's lights out by 11:00. We're getting near the tail end of our vacation, but we still have two more full park days. And tomorrow, we plan on having some fun.

FROZEN fun.

Frozen SUMMER fun.

Good night!

(Up next, Day 10, at Hollywood Studios!)

 

[DisneyJo]

Sounds like a great day after your nice long lie in

We used to love LeCellier when it was 1 credit but, like you, struggle to see it as a 2 credit!

 

[rndmr2]

Great Epcot day! We Loved Le Cellier when we went there in 2010, haven't been back since pretty much for the same reason you haven't. That Chocolate "Moose" is way different than it usually is. It's usually coated in those little crumbs.

Cool pictures of the sidewalks, I can never get night time pics at Epcot to turn out.

 

[ksromack]

I'll chime in LeCellier being 2 TS credits. When we went in Dec 2012 it was ONE credit and while it was delicious, it wasn't 2 ts credits worthy. Incidently, our meal that trip was sooooo slow, we were seated a good 45 minutes after our ADR. I'm hoping our miniscule serving of the filet at F&W will suffice for this trip.....

and darn it, Shutters IS NOT on our ADR list! We will be at the World in less than 48 hours. There just isn't any space left for Shutters. Grrrrrrr.

 

[Clarf]

Stellar update! Wow! Love your Test Track cars. Those are so much fun to make.

We've not eaten at LeCellier, and while it looks great, we won't do any 2 TS credit meals unless we stay longer. Jason would love that steak, though! And I hear you about long waits and kid shennanigans. It gets long, but you can hardly blame them.

OMG, those Money Python shirts! I don't think we went in that shop and now I regret it. Next time, Clare. Next time.

Love the lights in the ground in Future World. They are so cool all lit up like that!

I knew you couldn't talk about Canada without mentioning Martin Short and Clifford.

 

[BlvInMagic]

LOL... "the Duffs" .... clever! BTW - we've started playing "Head's Up" too as a way to pass the time on our long car rides to visit the in-laws. It's a great distraction

 

[TheMaxRebo]

wow, day 8 was quite a day when you list out all that you got done!

Funny you mention about the queue activities and how you don't want people behind you to pass you ... I had been thinking (clearly I don't have enough going on in my life) what the etiquette is for that if you are behind a family participating in the games. Do you give them a few minutes to finish up? I mean, at some point it has to be ok to go past them (like if you can no longer see the end of the line past them) but where is that point?

wow, you were able to get a FP+ for Figment the night before!??!?! I seriously do wish that they would enhance the interactive elements after the ride. I mean, they aren't that imaginative (these special effects aren't very special)

Alice does tend to be a consistently good meet - just generally seems to capture the character properly but then relate it to the guests/real world more than other characters

That's pretty cool you can get the sushi pack as a snack credit!

 

[Practically_Perfect]

Been loving this TR...though this may be the first time I've commented

I have no idea what he's pointing at, but we must have thought it was cool at the time:



We're seated in the Idontrememberwhichprovincewewereseatedin section. They named the different sections of the restaurant after the provinces of Canada, though I'm not sure if there really is a difference between them. The sections of the restaurant - not the provinces. Calm down, Canadian readers.

I'm gonna guess you were seated in Newfoundland....since that's what Dylan's pointing at. He's actually pointing at the official flower of Newfoundland and Labrador (Inky shout-out!), called Pitcher Plant. Ooh - and if you wanna sound like you know what you're talking about, Newfoundland is pronounced "NEWF-in-land" and not "new-FOUND-land" as many assume.

Okay....that's enough random Canadian trivia for one TR. Onwards!!

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

Hola Nilla!


You don't know me but I think you inadvertently posted at the beginning of my trip report. Then fled.


Your reply made me laugh. TBH *hug*

Anywho... I've been reading your reports off and on.


I like them.


So. I don't usually ever do this but I'm gonna "follow" along.


Lovely family. Like your boots. decently amusing. or more so. TBH.



Cheers, Mel.

Do you know the Max REBO????? if you do props. OUT!!!!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

No matter, let's play Head's Up!

Love Head's Up!

We ride Buzz, and I seem to get worse at this one every time I ride it. I don't know why. I mean, I THINK I'm hitting the targets. And my score's decent, but not the best. Oh well.

I never do well in Buzz - I'm just going through the motions since I can never tell where my laser is aimed!

WOW. What a day!

I'll say!!

Well, most of us do. Kristin, Dylan, and Emily, average around 21-22 hours of sleep a day.

We duck into Club Cool on the way, and a Beverly later, we were on and off Figment's Ride.

We didn't go in Club Cool this year. What the heck?? We'll have to make sure we get back there next year.

Great timing on this next one:

That is a great pic!

Disney describes it as "Le Cellier Filet Mignon - AAA Canadian Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom Risotto, Heirloom Toy Box Tomatoes, Truffle-Butter Sauce". And it's GOOD.

Yes, it IS good. Now I'm hungry.....

Not a lot I want to buy here, though. With the possible exception of this:

Steve bought the Silly Walks t-shirt this year.

But first, Em has to make a call:

I have the telephone numbers for those booths. It was fun to call one of the phones whenever a guest walked by or was in the booth. We haven't tried calling them in a few years so I'm not sure if they still work. Something else to try next year!

Clouds are looking cool again:

We got some cool cloud pics on our trip this year too. Once you saw those clouds you knew rain was coming!