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

[TheCapellsMom]

Hey, I figured if my parents did it to me, I can do it to my kids!!

THANK GOODNESS you don't use that logic for all of your parenting decisions!!!

 

[boxmaster]

THANK GOODNESS you don't use that logic for all of your parenting decisions!!!

Mercifully, he uses the exact OPPOSITE logic in a chunk of his parenting decisions.

 

[MEK]

I finally had time to go back and look through all your pictures again. I was hoping to pick out a favorite and report, but they are all so good I can't pick the best mom.

I will see, mom looks like she is having far too much fun with pinocchio!

 

[thecapells]

I finally had time to go back and look through all your pictures again. I was hoping to pick out a favorite and report, but they are all so good I can't pick the best mom.

I will see, mom looks like she is having far too much fun with pinocchio!

Thanks!
I thought Mom and Pinocchio was hysterical!

 

[thecapells]

We headed up one of cool little secret paths around the side of the castle.
It takes you right into Fantasyland.
This is a great path for when you are trying to get a child to sleep and it’s usually fairly quiet.

And our luck was practically perfect for when we reappeared in Fantasyland, Mary Poppins was heading over to the carousel.
The girls quickly got in line.
While we waited, I snuck a quick pic of one of the frames on the carrousel.
For those who don’t know, the top of the carrousel is full of little vignettes that tell the entire story of Cinderella.

But, we must not keep Mary waiting.
It was a bit sunny at this point so there is some bad glare.
But our girls made the best of it.

Then we headed over to cash in our Peter Pan fastpasses.
(remember those? It seems like so long ago…)
On the way, I had to snap a shot of some memories.
Anyone notice these scattered throughout Fantasyland?

Well, they are the remnants of the old Skyway – one of my favorite rides.
This is where the poles were implanted into the ground.
So if you follow these “memorials”, you can actually see where the Skyway went.
Alas, the Skyway is no more.

We turned the corner towards Peter Pan’s Flight and stopped dead in our tracks.

One of the Brazilian tour groups just showed up and entered the fastpass return line.
All 50 or so of them.
Dang tour groups – they’ll be the death of my perfect planning.
And I thought we had lost them after the Studios.
Plan B?
We headed across the way and took a spin on the “Happiest Cruise that Ever Sailed.”

I still don’t think I’ve ever seen the soldiers come out on the hour.
I’ll have to time it better next time around.

But this was weird – we headed down the “exit” as they just recently switched the entrance and exit ramps.
Very odd if you’re used to it the other way around…

Wave goodbye!

And remember kids.
Never dance while on it’s a Small World.
(I still love these signs)

Everyone neat and pretty?
Then on with the show!
And I tried to take some pictures that we haven’t taken before this time around so enjoy!

After Small World, the fastpass line at Peter Pan was still insane from the Brazilians so we moved along to Philharmagic.
We had just enough time to catch a show before our ADR’s for lunch.

I love that they have Mickey’s back on the back of the this sign.

DD’s favorite sign in the lobby.

And a little detail for everyone out there.
Who knew Minnie Mouse was a famous art collector?
And a generous donor as well?

After a wonderful show (we love this attraction), it was off to lunch!
Any guesses for a table service location in the Magic Kingdom?

 

[MEK]

I always seem to be checking in on your TR when I am at work. And that is so frsutrating, but I'll be back this evening to see all your great pics. Sorry I keep getting behind with the pictures. My timing is bad!

 

[starousse]

I'm really enjoying your reviews. What great pictures too.

 

[Curoly06]

Keep the updates coming. My niece is getting really excited for our upcoming trip! She loves seeing the pictures of your little ones enjoying the Magic Kingdom.

 

[MEK]

Great pictures, as always. You always capture so much great detail.

Ugh to the Brazilian tour groups. So distracting.

I did not that about the entrance/exit switch at IASW and I thought maybe it was just a summer thing. Hmmm.... maybe not.

I did not know that about the kyway. Thanks for some trivia.

 

[thecapells]

I'm really enjoying your reviews. What great pictures too.

Thanks so much!
I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Keep the updates coming. My niece is getting really excited for our upcoming trip! She loves seeing the pictures of your little ones enjoying the Magic Kingdom.

Always happy to keep the little ones excited!
More is definitely on the way!

Great pictures, as always. You always capture so much great detail.

Ugh to the Brazilian tour groups. So distracting.

I did not that about the entrance/exit switch at IASW and I thought maybe it was just a summer thing. Hmmm.... maybe not.

I did not know that about the kyway. Thanks for some trivia.

Hey, I aim for an educational TR!

 

[thecapells]

We headed back towards Main Street to try out a restaurant we’ve heard varying opinions on.
But based on the DIS, we decided that lunch sounded (and was being reviewed) better than dinner.
So lunch it was.
But first, a quick homage to the man who made the man who started it all.
A tribute window to Walt’s dad, Elias Disney:

Then it was back down Main Street and over to Town Square.
Because right out of Lady and the Tramp, we needed to visit Tony’s!

First stop was a little detail outside.
For those who remember the movie, Tramp took Lady on a tour around town and stopped by some wet cement.
Who knew they were standing in Town Square on Main Street, USA?

Inside, the restaurant was full of cells from the movie.
From a shot of Tony himself serenading the K-9 couple

to Lady and all her friends when they warned her about Tramp.

And portraits of each of the stars.

After a short wait, the waitress led us to our table.
We were seated on a glass porch overlooking Main Street USA.
And, of course, embedded in the glass was a reminder of where we were:

Our version:

It was a lovely little alcove to eat – sunny, a nice view, and very pleasant.
And the table was full of little colorful Mickeys in honor of X’s birthday.
Our princess grabbed them all and sorted them by color.
Apparently OCD runs in our family…

About then, I called over to J back in the room to check in on him and see if he thought he was well enough to join us.
He declined and said he’d grab something at the food court but maybe would catch up with us later.

Which brings us to the food.
I started with the calamari and even let the Princess try some.
She loved it so much she probably had about half of it.
But it was really good.

Mom went with the fried zucchini and a southwest sauce and really enjoyed it as well.

The kids started with fruit – each one a different selection.
Doesn’t seem like much but they were soooo happy.

While we waited for the main course, I grabbed the princess and started exploring.
The Lady and the Tramp fountain was a nice photo spot but really hard to get a good picture.

And don’t forget those Hidden Mickeys.

But this silhouette is one of my favorites.
If you look “out back” in the restaurant, you can see the silhouette of Lady and the Tramp eating their famous dinner in the alleyway.
Such attention to detail!

Food arrived shortly.
DS went with spaghetti and a meatball.

The princess went with Mickey Ravioli with white alfredo sauce on the side.

X went with a kids pizza which wasn’t horrible (we’re not fans of Disney pizza in general).

Mom ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana and loved it!

And I had Tony’s Flatbread which was a sausage and pepperoni flatbread with a bit of a kick.
I figured if we’re in Tony’s restaurant, I should go with his recommendation.
And I really enjoyed it.
However, it was so big, I couldn’t finish it.

 

[thecapells]

During the meal was when the fun started.
And yes, we are those people.
First, let’s start with our “Tramp.”
When you get a meatball on your plate, what should you do?

Then it was time for the lovers.
But we didn’t stop there as the kids wanted in on the fun.
So, for today’s poll, which picture is cuter?

After the fun and a wonderful meal, it was time for dessert.
I had my favorite Italian dessert – the Tartufo (ice cream bomb).
Mmmmmmmmmm.

Mom had Lady and the Tramp Tirimasu.
Check out the detail on the plate.

The kids went with ice cream with toppings on the side (including Mickey sprinkles).

It was a wonderful meal and a definite new favorite for a nice lunch inside the Magic Kingdom.

Our only complaint was that the nearest bathrooms were located at City Hall across Town Square.
You see, we were visiting during the renovation of Tony’s and the Town Square Theatre.
We’ve been back and everything is back to normal with bathrooms inside the restaurant now.

In general, I’ve heard not-so-great things about Tony’s but that’s usually for dinner reviews.
I say try the lunch and you’ll be happy!

And with that we were off across the park to visit a character in an outfit we’ve never seen before!
Come along!

 

[dawnbu40]

Family fun and good food sounds like a great lunch to me

I love the Lady and the Tramp poses! So cute!

And your food pics have me looking forward to going there next month

 

[thecapells]

Family fun and good food sounds like a great lunch to me

I love the Lady and the Tramp poses! So cute!

And your food pics have me looking forward to going there next month

We were quite surprised at how enjoyable the lunch was after hearing so many bad reviews.
It sounds like dinner may be a disappointment but lunch was just fine.
We've been back since and liked that meal as well!

 

[MEK]

So, yeah, its me again. You know - the DISer who always stops by when she can't see the pictures. Well, I just wanted to say that your meal sounds really yummy and I will definitely have to try Tony's for a nice sit-down lunch.

 

[thecapells]

So, yeah, its me again. You know - the DISer who always stops by when she can't see the pictures. Well, I just wanted to say that your meal sounds really yummy and I will definitely have to try Tony's for a nice sit-down lunch.

Hope you got to see the pics to go along with the descriptions.
And we definitely think Tony's is a great little place for lunch!

 

[thecapells]

After a lovely lunch, we headed back across the park into Adventureland.
Along the way, we stopped for some Photopass pictures of course…
It was a bit too sunny though.

In Adventureland, we headed straight for the Caribbean Plaza.

Hiding in the breezeway outside the entrance to Pirates was another First!
Goofy was dressed up like a Pirate!
I had heard about this new costume and knew we had to come on by!

After “Yo-ho’ing” with Goofy, we decided to board our vessels and go a-plunderin’!
Come along me hearties!
And, of course, I had fun with the camera in the queue…

I always love the footprints here.
One bootprint and one pegleg print.

And now a restaurant I always wanted to try – but it’s seasonal and always closed when we go.
Funny thing is now it even has a new name – Tortuga Tavern.
So this is now a collector’s item!

While we were here, we decided to use the facilities.
Gotta love the theming in here!

On the way out, I noticed something strange.
Blackbeard on the wall?
And a logbook of Captain Jack and the Queen Anne’s Revenge?
Turns out, these were the first steps in the conversion to the Tortuga Tavern.

Then we headed out west to catch the iron horse!
Now where do ya think we be headed?

 

[Curoly06]

Then we headed out west to catch the iron horse!
Now where do ya think we be headed?

To the Frontierland train station?

 

[dawnbu40]

I love the pics with Pirate Goofy! I'm disappointed he's being (or been) replaced with Hook and Smee as we've seen them many times throughout the years and only caught Pirate Goofy once.

Fun update!

 

[thecapells]

To the Frontierland train station?

Nicely done!
Give that fan a Golden Mickey!

I love the pics with Pirate Goofy! I'm disappointed he's being (or been) replaced with Hook and Smee as we've seen them many times throughout the years and only caught Pirate Goofy once.

Fun update!

I heard Hook and Smee were coming back but didn't realize it was at the expense of Pirate Goofy.
That's a shame.