Firsts, Fourths, and Farewells (4/28 Back to the Future!)

[boxmaster]

For appetizers, I got the Queso Fundito. Mmmm – lots and lots and lots of cheese!!
And very, very filling.

J went with the Taquiza - taco trio featuring Rib eye taco with chipolte salsa, roasted chicken taco with salsa verde, and Chilorio (marinated pork) taco.
We ended up splitting the queso and taquiza.
Very yummy…

Wow, talk about stuffed already. We didn't finish off the queso, but Mike didn't let the waiter take it away. He was going to continue with that for as
long as he possibly could. I knew I needed some more room, but had no idea just how much more was coming!

J and I had fun and went with the house special – La Hacienda:
Mixed grill offering flank steak, chicken al pastor, chorizo and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsas
Oh my was this a lot of food.
But it was really, really good.

(Notice our sly framing for this photo to give a hidden Mickey?)

The chicken was ok as were the veggies, and the steak was too rare for my preference, but OMG the chorizo was GREAT! Yes, please, I'll
have some more of that anytime.

Next was dessert – gotta love the Deluxe Dining Plan.
We were stuffed.
But the boys got ice cream and found a way to finish it.
X’s came with a candle as the restaurant sang him Happy Birthday!

Great as this photo is, it actually doesn't quite do justice to just how thrilled X was when they came out singing Happy Birthday for him.

And J and I ordered Crema de Chocolate "Abuelita" - Chocolate custard served with crunchy bunuelo strips and caramel syrup

We were stuffed but we had a great time.

Mike didn't particularly like this (I think he stopped after maybe 1-2 spoons). I thought it was ok, and definitely gave it a bit more (I think I had about half
or so of it). The consistency was not something I was used to, and the blueberries with the chocolate just don't work for me.

Slow as the service was, though, it was a very good meal with the gang. If you get the chance, give this place a shot. Just make sure you aren't tight for time on the other end.

 

[thecapells]

Mike didn't particularly like this (I think he stopped after maybe 1-2 spoons). I thought it was ok, and definitely gave it a bit more (I think I had about half
or so of it). The consistency was not something I was used to, and the blueberries with the chocolate just don't work for me.

I think the problem was I was full.
I did gorge on the Queso and didn't leave much room.
As for the main course, I liked the steak alot and left J with most of the chorizos.

 

[dawnbu40]

Great reviews gentlemen! Your pictures look so good its making me hungry

We went there in Feb (also on a very rainy night) and found it very slow too but I agree that it is worth going back.

 

[thecapells]

Great reviews gentlemen! Your pictures look so good its making me hungry

We went there in Feb (also on a very rainy night) and found it very slow too but I agree that it is worth going back.

It's funny - it is owned and operated by the same company as San Angel Inn and that is also very slow yet worth going back with the new menu.

 

[MEK]

I so wish I could see your pictures right now.

The rita flight sounds delish! I actually didn't know they had rita flights there. Good to know!

I've eaten there a few times and I really do enjoy the food and the ambiance. I had the shrimp tacos once and really enjoyed them. Desserts all sound amazing.

Yeah for a great spot to watch Illuminations. Sorry it was lost on the kids. It's one of those shows that has really grown on me the more I watch it.

Be back later for pics!

 

[thecapells]

I so wish I could see your pictures right now.

The rita flight sounds delish! I actually didn't know they had rita flights there. Good to know!

I've eaten there a few times and I really do enjoy the food and the ambiance. I had the shrimp tacos once and really enjoyed them. Desserts all sound amazing.

Yeah for a great spot to watch Illuminations. Sorry it was lost on the kids. It's one of those shows that has really grown on me the more I watch it.

Be back later for pics!

I can definitely understand the kids' reaction though.
Illuminations does tend to drag in the middle and there's no real story for the kids to comprehend.
It's more of an overarching theme - Small World on a grand scale.
I tend to prefer Wishes and Fantasmic! is my favorite.

 

[thecapells]

Today we slept in and didn’t make it to the bus platform until about 8:30.
We had a 9:40 Breakfast ADR at Chef Mickey’s but the Magic Kingdom bus line was insane.
And boarding right now was a bus to Epcot.
So I called an audible and we hopped on.
We arrived at Epcot in no time and headed to the monorail.
I figured this way X can get an extra ride on his favorite mode of transportation!

Boy was X happy.
Not only did a monorail arrive to take us to breakfast.
But it was a TRONORAIL!

We changed at the TTC and I made a slight miscalculation.
We hopped on the Express Monorail which zoomed right through the Contemporary.

So at the Magic Kingdom, we jumped onto our THIRD monorail of the morning back to the Contemporary.

Three monorails in one morning?
Yes, X was very excited!
It was turning out to be a good day for the little guy!

Finally we arrived at our destination: Chef Mickey’s!
We took some pictures which didn’t come out too good and then headed to the waiting area.

Of course, I was busy taking pictures while the kids watched Disney Junior.

And watched monorails, of course.
I mean today was all about monorails.

 

[thecapells]

Our buzzer buzzed and we were escorted to our table.
We headed past the buffet and into a room behind the monorail - a new experience for us.

It was interesting back here with lots of artwork and even a view of the castle.
Take a look!

After we got settled, it was time for food!
The buffet here is pretty standard breakfast fare for Disney so we had a good time.

Then it was time for the calvalcade of stars!
Goofy loved Ray’s hair and instead of pulling his ears like normal, he pulled her “ears.”

We made J take a picture with The Goof as well.
He is the only one who was almost as tall as the big dog.
Boy that is one big dog.

Then it was time for the Big Cheese himself!

And, of course, we bugged the table next to us to take a group shot with the Mouse!

Then it was birthday time.
It was late January and both the boys have birthdays in February so we let them celebrate!
Gotta love cupcakes for breakfast!

Princess headed for the dessert stations and made out okay as well.

But before you knew it, it was time to party!
Everyone grab your napkins and twirl them around!

 

[thecapells]

After the celebration, we anxiously awaited our last visitors.
First, Mrs. Mouse herself…

And then that Duck again.
You can always see X’s face lights up around Donald…

And then the ultimate matching picture.
We even pretended we liked Donald better.
He loved that idea!

Oh wait!
Don’t forget good ol’ Pluto!

Then the Princess wanted to take some detail pictures…

Finally, it was back to the monorails and back to the TTC.
Of course, J went looking for the five-legged goat but couldn’t find him…

Around the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Again.

We definitely had our fill this morning soaring on the Highway in the Sky.
After all, how many monorails do you ride every morning?

 

[MEK]

Well, I guess there are two ways to look at it - bonus monorail or OOPS!

I love how 3 of 4 men have matching shirts. Very cool! But your DD's outfit is clearly the winner. That is adorable.

Great pictures of the family. No surprise there!

I had no idea there was a room at Chef Mickey's where you actually had a view of the monorail. Score on that! Cool artwork!

 

[dawnbu40]

Wow! Just getting to breakfast was an adventure!

All the pictures came out great! Everyone looks so happy and like you were all having so much fun

I agree with Mary Ellen that I like all the guys in matching tees but I love the princess' out fit

 

[TheCapellsMom]

There are actually a couple of different rooms in Chef Mickeys with different views of the monorail as it rides through the Contemporary.
It's very cool and X gets excited every time he sees it. The kids like to try and guess what color will be next.

And thanks for all the compliments on the outfits!
You know I always have fun planning everybody's clothes so that they coordinate with our plans for the day.

Well, I tried SO hard to find X a shirt like the ret of the guys and hd no luck at all. I was SO bummed!

But X didn't seem to care because he was glad to be wearing "happy Mickey instead of grumpy Mickey."

 

[dawnbu40]

Happy Mother's Day Stacey!

 

[boxmaster]

Finally, it was back to the monorails and back to the TTC.
Of course, J went looking for the five-legged goat but couldn’t find him…

I don't know. I think he's pulling my leg about that one. Nice easy way of getting someone else to take a couple of pictures.

Regardless, it was a fun morning (monorail snafu notwithstanding), with a good breakfast, and lots yet to do.

 

[dawnbu40]

Ther 5 legged goat is up there I think its the goat on the far left part of the bigger mural where the rays of sun are coming in.

 

[TheCapellsMom]

Hope your Mother's Day was great, Dawn!

And yes, the 5 legged goat really does exist- I didn't believe Mikeyeither until he proved it to me!

 

[KatGarcia]

Boy am I behind but all caught up now! You guys are having a great trip.

 

[thecapells]

Boy am I behind but all caught up now! You guys are having a great trip.

Thanks for catching up!
See, I waited just for you!

Seriously though - sorry for the delay in responding.
It's been a busy week as we prep the Princess to get her tonsils out on Wednesday.
But now back to the story…

 

[thecapells]

We hopped back on the monorail from the Contemporary and headed to the TTC.
Great views as usual…

Once there, it was time to change our attire of course.
So with a wave of her magic wand, Mom transformed us into Epcot Wardrobe!
Any guesses what attraction was on the morning agenda?

On our final monorail of the morning (that’s 5 for those of you counting at home), we got that wonderful tour of Epcot’s Future World…

Then it was on to our first stop!
Imaaaaaaagination! (Everyone sing!)

Mom even took a picture of the photo in progress

 

[thecapells]

Time to say hello to our favorite Purple Dragon!
Come along – the Institute is having an Open House today…

Oh no.
It looks like won.
Or did we?
Everybody hold your nose!!!

Now, let’s visit Figment’s Open House.

Walk this way everybody!
Figment’s heading to the ImageWorks!

Next up - a Blast from the Past!
Come join us as we enter The Cosmos - A Universe of Good and Evil!
Everyone Onward!