Food, Wine, MNSSHP, Harry Potter-Oct 2010 {waiting to book dining & my crazy cat p.7}

[aprilisis]

They brought us this bread & John ate almost all of it immediately!

I ordered onion rings (I know…SOOO fancy):

Cauliflower:

And Gratin potatoes:

John got Yukon gold (potato) puree:

Creamed spinach (no photo), and the ribeye:

The bread was delicious and the Yukon puree was fantastic. The Gratin potatoes were good, the cauliflower was ok, the spinach was too salty, and the onion rings were kind of soggy. You know me if you have read my reports before- I am rarely disappointed by food, so they must have been having an “off” night or something. The drink I had was great, though! John said the steak was VERY good. We were too full for dessert. All in all, the atmosphere of the place is awesome. I like it a lot.
After dinner, John got a cup of coffee and I found a SATC (an HBO show whose name would get censored if I typed it out..."something and the city") slot machine. They must know that the fans will play it- but these machines are NOT designed to do you any favors. After losing a bit on that machine, I tried a Jaws machine & quit when I was up $20. John decided he wanted to play a blackjack machine, so I played another one in the same area- I forgot what it was called, but I made back everything I lost on the SATC machine & quit. I was happy to be even! We went back upstairs & watched tv.
Darn! I knew I forgot something! I forgot to take breakfast photos. We ordered room service. John had Eggs Benedict and I had an egg white omelet with peppers and onions and a side of sliced tomatoes. Both came with very good breakfast potatoes and I had sourdough toast. I also had grapefruit juice & we both had coffee. It was all very, very good! Here are a few shots of our view- which was not GREAT, but I can’t complain:

We showered, packed up & checked out. We had to drive over to one of the other resorts to get to the Titanic exhibit. We parked & walked in & to my surprise, it wasn’t a far walk. This casino is HUGE & it usually takes forever to get where you’re going. I was disappointed that photography wasn’t allowed. We went into the exhibit & they handed us a card with information when we first walked in:
Back:

Front:

It contained information about a passenger that was actually on the Titanic & you could check & see if your passenger made it at the end of the exhibit. The exhibit started with items like personal effects- compacts, handkerchiefs, toiletry items, etc. There was even a bar of soap still in the case! They had a cabin set up like one of the first class cabins & one set up like the third class cabins- what a difference. The third class cabins had two sets of bunk beds & were either male or female, so a lot of families could not stay together. There was actually a postcard with the stamp STILL stuck on it. I learned that a first class parlor suite ticket cost $4,350 ($69,600 today), a first class berth ticket cost $150 ($2,400 today), a second class ticket cost $60 ($960 today), and a third class ticket cost $40 ($640 today). They were a lot more expensive than I thought! There were some dishes that they found still perfectly stacked because the wooden cabinet disintegrated around them. One of the workers told us that one man drank very heavily because of what was happening & he survived 2 hours in the water because his blood alcohol level was so high. The alcohol in his blood was like antifreeze. At the end of the exhibit, we checked to see if the person on our ticket made it off of the Titanic. John’s guy (who boarded 3rd class alone) did not make it. My second class lady & her daughter made it, but her husband didn’t. We looked through the gift shop at the end and John got me a little silver necklace with a piece of coal retrieved from the Titanic. The packing:

The necklace:

I really like it. I am fascinated by the Titanic and, while very sad, this exhibit is great. There are several throughout the world & I think the Vegas one has most of the jewelry. Now I really want to go to Las Vegas to see that!
Well, I had better get back to work. I will report more when I have some WDW news.

 

[aprilisis]

It's always soooo hard to wait for the park hours to be published. It kind of puts all of the trip planning (at least for me) at a standstill.

The room at the MGM is gorgeous. Ummmm....$12.00 for cashews? I don't think so eitehr! I'm a huge fan of Top Chef and know exactly who Tom Colicchio is. I would have been super excited to eat in his restaurant.

Hey, Lisa! craftsteak is awesome! I wish there was one closer to you so you can try it.

I am SOOOO antsy waiting for the park hours!!! Thanks goodness for all of the PTR's going on to keep me sane. I'm headed to yours right now. By the way- I really loved your Illuminations photos!

 

[If U Had Wings]

It sounds like it was a great trip. I haven't been up to th CT casinos in ages. I live in CT, but it's such a hike to get there I hardly ever go. Your probably closer than me.

I didn't know they were having a Titanic exhibit going on. I'm completely fascinated with the Titanic. I saw the exhibit they had at the Norwalk Maritime musueum a few years back. That one was much more about the mechanics of the ship sinking. Still fascinating.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Too bad that your meal wasn't as super great as you expected but still good. I would have just been excited 'cause of who owned it. I know. I'm a nerd.

The Titanic exhibit sounds very interesting. I love the movie Titanic and bet I have watched it over three dozen times. John's brother is a barber and when they went to the Titanic museum in Branson, Missouri, the person he was assigned to (or whatever you call it), was a barber. What a coincidence!

The coal necklace is very unique. That was very sweet of John to buy it for you.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the gambling. We haven't gone to a casino in probably two years. When we do go, we are el cheapos and take about $50 for the two of us. Once it's gone, that's the end of the gambling for me. Now, my sister, on the other hand goes pretty often and always wins. Once, she was waiting for them to come cash out the machine she won $9,000 on and decided to play the slot machine beside her. She won another $7,000! Can you believe that! I need her to play my money for me.

 

[aprilisis]

It sounds like it was a great trip. I haven't been up to th CT casinos in ages. I live in CT, but it's such a hike to get there I hardly ever go. Your probably closer than me.

I didn't know they were having a Titanic exhibit going on. I'm completely fascinated with the Titanic. I saw the exhibit they had at the Norwalk Maritime musueum a few years back. That one was much more about the mechanics of the ship sinking. Still fascinating.

I am about 1 hour & 15 minutes away from Foxwoods. It is SUCH a dark drive down 395 at night with no street lights. How far are you from there?
I never knew about the exhibit in Norwalk. That sounds very interesting. I really love anything related to the Titanic.

Too bad that your meal wasn't as super great as you expected but still good. I would have just been excited 'cause of who owned it. I know. I'm a nerd.

The Titanic exhibit sounds very interesting. I love the movie Titanic and bet I have watched it over three dozen times. John's brother is a barber and when they went to the Titanic museum in Branson, Missouri, the person he was assigned to (or whatever you call it), was a barber. What a coincidence!

The coal necklace is very unique. That was very sweet of John to buy it for you.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the gambling. We haven't gone to a casino in probably two years. When we do go, we are el cheapos and take about $50 for the two of us. Once it's gone, that's the end of the gambling for me. Now, my sister, on the other hand goes pretty often and always wins. Once, she was waiting for them to come cash out the machine she won $9,000 on and decided to play the slot machine beside her. She won another $7,000! Can you believe that! I need her to play my money for me.

That is such a coincidence about John's brother & the barber. My John's person at the exhibit was named "John", too- but I guess that is pretty common! I have seen "Titanic" that may times, too!!!!! I have a replica of the dress she wears in the scene where Jack first sees her on the ship. I ordered it in 2001 for Halloween & now I can't find it!!!! If I do, I'll post pics. I have to find a costume for October because I want to dress up for the Halloween party for a change.
WOW! Your sister is lucky! That's a ton of money!! I never gamble with too much, either. I wish I could always get ahead, but sometimes I stop when I'm even because I'm afraid to lose money. I'm a big chicken.

 

[racefanof88]

April, I don't know how I have missed coming to your PTR . But, I'm here now so we can commence...... I voted on the sunset picture,and I agree with you on the wax museum pictures. Some of them look a lot like the star, but some of them are WAY off. I love the pix of your fur babies, each on their own piece of furniture........ I think it is great that you and John can go and do something during the week. Dale won't take the time off work to do a one day thing so it always has to be done on my weekend off. Even if the food wasn't good, at the MGM, it sure looked good. I have started back on my diet and I pretty much think anything, food wise, looks good. I have been trying to decide what type of exercise equipment I want to invest in, and I think I am going to get a treadmill. I don't really have room for one, but I think if I get one that folds away I can store it in my garage.

 

[aprilisis]

April, I don't know how I have missed coming to your PTR . But, I'm here now so we can commence...... I voted on the sunset picture,and I agree with you on the wax museum pictures. Some of them look a lot like the star, but some of them are WAY off. I love the pix of your fur babies, each on their own piece of furniture........ I think it is great that you and John can go and do something during the week. Dale won't take the time off work to do a one day thing so it always has to be done on my weekend off. Even if the food wasn't good, at the MGM, it sure looked good. I have started back on my diet and I pretty much think anything, food wise, looks good. I have been trying to decide what type of exercise equipment I want to invest in, and I think I am going to get a treadmill. I don't really have room for one, but I think if I get one that folds away I can store it in my garage.

The treadmill is awesome- seriously...I did layaway at Sears & only spent $600- it is a lot, but not compared to some of the treadmills out there. I walk on an incline & it makes my legs BURN. I still haven’t lost any weight, though, even though I have been eating well (except that one night out). Mine folds up, but it is in the basement, so it is not in the way. I just wish I had a tv to put in front of me.
My pets are SO spoiled, it isn’t even funny. They have the run of the house!!
It kind of stinks- John has one day off per week & he gets home so late that I only see him 2 hours a day. I guess I shouldn’t complain if my only problem is that I don’t see him enough!
I’m glad you’re here!!! I can’t wait to read your TR after your trip- it is coming up fast!!!!

 

[aprilisis]

Well, my curiosity got the best of me & I did a Google search of “when will southwest release October 2010?” and I actually found a link to the Southwest site saying that they will be releasing dates through October 30, 2010 on March 23. So….guess who will be online at midnight on October 23rd?? If I can’t stay up that late, I will just book at 6am when I get up. I have to narrow down my dining choices, so I am ready to book dining when the park hours come out. I don’t think I will book a table service meal at EPCOT since the Food & Wine will be going on there. I will fill up on that stuff too much to want a big meal. I know I definitely want eat at the following places:

Artist Point
California Grill
Garden Grove (breakfast)
Boma (breakfast or dinner…maybe both?!?!?)
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Jiko
Donald’s Safari Breakfast
Kouzzina (breakfast)
1900 Park Faire (breakfast)
I think I might want to try the “Dine With an Imagineer” at Brown Derby, too

Some of my “maybe” places:
Sanaa
Cinderella’s Royal Table (I think I like the MK counter service options too much to go here, though)
The Wave
Bluezoo

Besides this, I have decided that I am going to spend a day doing things I have never done. The three things I have decided on are Dolphins in Depth (9:45am at Epcot), a trail ride at Fort Wilderness (I haven’t been horseback riding since I was 14), and a facial at one of the spas- most likely Mandara Spa at the Dolphin since it is the closest. I am definitely making a trip over to Universal & IOA to see the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I am undecided on whether or not I will go to Halloween Horror Nights, though. Of course I will be visiting all 4 Disney parks, attending Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party, and the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot (at least twice!). I am DEFINITELY planning to visit Stormalong Bay. That is one of the main reasons I booked at YC- the pool is amazing. Some pool photos from this past trip:

Now I just have to wait & be patient (yeah, right!) for park hours, Halloween party dates, extra magic hours, and airfare to come out. I’m too impatient. I want to plan, plan, plan…NOW!!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Your pictures are making me so anxious to stay at the Beach Club now! I can't wait to have my pool day there! I wanted to do a spa treatment this trip too. Last time I went over to the GF. It was wonderful. I hadn't even thought about going to the Mandara spa this time. I might have to look into that. It would be much more convienent staying at the Beach Club.

I know what you mean about making plans. I'm just itching to make some more plans. I'm probably flying Jet Blue so I can book now. I don't want the rates to get too high. I just need to talk with my BFF and find out exactly how many days she wants to spend at Universal.

I like the looks of your food choices. I definitely want to spend more time enjoying F&W this trip. It's why I don't want to do the dining plan this trip. I'm toying with the idea of a meal at CRT too. I've always wanted to eat at the castle, it's just so expensive!

ADR day will be just around the corner, so I'm going to have to come to some decisions soon.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I think I'd do the same thing as you and not book an ADR at Epcot since the Food and Wine Festival will be going on. I'd want to stop and sample the foods instead of sitting down to a meal.

You lucky girl you! I have always wanted to do Dolphins in Depth. John (my John ) would never agree to that. He's such a scaredy cat. We had planned on doing the horseback riding for our upcoming trip but changed our minds when we found out Mama was going with us. She wouldn't be able to ride and I don't want to make her wait around on us while we do it.

 

[aprilisis]

Your pictures are making me so anxious to stay at the Beach Club now! I can't wait to have my pool day there! I wanted to do a spa treatment this trip too. Last time I went over to the GF. It was wonderful. I hadn't even thought about going to the Mandara spa this time. I might have to look into that. It would be much more convienent staying at the Beach Club.

I know what you mean about making plans. I'm just itching to make some more plans. I'm probably flying Jet Blue so I can book now. I don't want the rates to get too high. I just need to talk with my BFF and find out exactly how many days she wants to spend at Universal.

I like the looks of your food choices. I definitely want to spend more time enjoying F&W this trip. It's why I don't want to do the dining plan this trip. I'm toying with the idea of a meal at CRT too. I've always wanted to eat at the castle, it's just so expensive!

ADR day will be just around the corner, so I'm going to have to come to some decisions soon.

I checked Jetblue from Boston & their prices were WAY high...I know it has to be my travel dates. I'm considering switching my dates to one day earlier. I am going to wait for Southwest's airfare to come out first, though.
People may kill me for saying it, but the food at CRT is good...not GREAT. The atmosphere is really awesome, though. I really love California Grill the best.
I can't wait to read about your GF spa experience in your TR.

I think I'd do the same thing as you and not book an ADR at Epcot since the Food and Wine Festival will be going on. I'd want to stop and sample the foods instead of sitting down to a meal.

You lucky girl you! I have always wanted to do Dolphins in Depth. John (my John ) would never agree to that. He's such a scaredy cat. We had planned on doing the horseback riding for our upcoming trip but changed our minds when we found out Mama was going with us. She wouldn't be able to ride and I don't want to make her wait around on us while we do it.

I'm hoping to do all of that stuff...if my budget allows. I'm putting aside money every week for this trip. I just hope I don't need to buy a car or something before I go.
The food & wine is a great time. The only thing is that I end up eating so many different types of food that I leave a little queasy. Well, it is either that or the 20 different sample glasses of wine! Just kidding!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hi April,
sounds like you and John had a wonderful time at the MGM, and the Titantic sounds very interesting. Great necklace BTW! your pictures of the YC make me wish I could stay there...it is so serene looking. your plans so far sound good. I like you extra choices as well too. I have been horse back riding and would love to try it; maybe when we return and ashton is old enough we will give it a try...who knows!

 

[racefanof88]

The pool looks so cool . Is that sand on the bottom of the pool? That would be such an awesome pool to swim in. Reading all of your ADR choices I realize I have never eaten at any of them. How sad is that?

 

[aprilisis]

Hi April,
sounds like you and John had a wonderful time at the MGM, and the Titantic sounds very interesting. Great necklace BTW! your pictures of the YC make me wish I could stay there...it is so serene looking. your plans so far sound good. I like you extra choices as well too. I have been horse back riding and would love to try it; maybe when we return and ashton is old enough we will give it a try...who knows!

I highly reccommend the Titanic exhibit. It was very sad, but very interesting to see the items they had recovered.
I guess the minimum age for trail rides is 9, but they also say thet the horses walk very slow. That is the cheapest of my 3 extra activities, so I know I will definitely be doing that one! You must be getting excited for your trip- it is RIGHT around the corner!!!!

The pool looks so cool . Is that sand on the bottom of the pool? That would be such an awesome pool to swim in. Reading all of your ADR choices I realize I have never eaten at any of them. How sad is that?

There is sand on the bottom of a portion of the pool. I think Stormalong Bay is about 3 acres. It has to be, though, since it is shared by 2 resorts! I am really looking forward to spending some time in that pool.
It isn't sad that you haven't eaten at any of those restaurants, because I can name you a longer list of places I haven't eaten yet.

 

[aprilisis]

Before I forget to mention it, I found the COOLEST app for my phone! I can create postcards & have them sent using just my phone! I take a photo on my phone, upload it to this website & Send it to whomever I want- all for $1.89!!!! Isn’t that cool?!?! I’m SOOO using that in October!
So far- the diet is good, but the exercise has been nonexistent. I have to get back into a routine. Though- John is NO help diet-wise. We went to Five Guys burgers last night & I got the veggie sandwich with mustard (everyone makes fun of me & calls it the “condiment special”), but John got 2 bacon double cheeseburgers & 2 large fries!!!! If you have ever been to Five Guys, you know large fries there fill a whole bag. So we walked out of there with a HUGE bag of fries. I only ate about 10 & even John couldn’t finish them. Not even close, actually. But you guys have seen his photo. For those of you who haven’t:

Only one question comes to mind- WHERE DOES ALL OF THE FOOD GO?!?!!?!? He is SO skinny & he can eat whatever he wants. I eat a flipping carrot & gain 10 pounds.

Still nothing exciting here- Just more waiting. *sigh* Oh…So here are a couple of photos of the Harry Potter area construction from September of 2009:

We really couldn’t see much. I can’t wait to see the area this October! I’m completely impatient. Thank goodness for the trip reports on these boards to tide me over until my next vacation!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Okay, that is so not right that he gets to eat like that and look like that. I swear I smell food and gain wait.

 

[aprilisis]

Okay, that is so not right that he gets to eat like that and look like that. I swear I smell food and gain wait.

THANK YOU!!! Seriously- he eats whatever he wants- and tons & tons of it!!!! Then he has the audacity sometimes to turn and ask me if I think he is gaining weight. The evil glare I shoot him afterwards usually shuts him up.

 

[aprilisis]

I am SO scatter-brained lately from stress. A little back story: A co-worker asked me last July if I could take his turtles because he couldn’t keep them. He said he had them for a year & they were teeny-tiny when I got them:

Their shells were probably about 2 inches across. I have had them since last July & now they are about 3.5 inches across! I guess they were living in a tank with no filter, no basking light & no heater. I got them those things right away. I also got a book on turtle care. I got them a 40 gallon tank in January (they were in a 10). Well, the new filter I got for the huge tank worked for a month & now it doesn’t work. John fiddled with it Sunday night & it worked for a day, but then stopped working again. I have to try & find a new one ASAP, but John keeps insisting he wants to fix the one I have. I don’t think it can be fixed, but I will give him one more try and then I will buy a new filter. The water will start to STINK if it isn't filtered. Those guys are seriously little eating & pooping machines! I would love to be able to let them go in a Lake, but #1- it is too cold here for their breed & #2- I don’t think they would survive out there since they have never had to fend for themselves. So I am stressing about getting their water nice & clean & filtered.

Monday night I was watching tv while John & Isis were sleeping and I heard some scritchy, scratchy noise coming from the attic. We had just gotten about 5 inches of rain over the weekend & I think a squirrel took up residence in our attic. I am borrowing a have a heart trap from work & I am going to set it up later on. All I can think of is the movie “Christmas Vacation” with the whole squirrel scene because I KNOW Isis would be chasing that thing all over the house if it ever got out.

Yesterday I got a notice in the mail about a recall on my Santa Fe- which is a 2003- because the front subframe apparently rusts & perforates from all of the road salt we use in the “Rust Belt” area of the country. I asked John how important it is & he said “Well, it DOES keep your engine in your car, so it is pretty important”. Fantastic. I drive 600 miles a week, so I have to get it looked at. They said they will replace it, too- which will be a huge job- so I am hoping they at least would give me a rental. I JUST finished paying it off last August, so I DO NOT want another car payment yet!! I have over 190,000 miles on it, though.

I got an offer for a rental car through Southwest- I got a car WAY cheaper than the rates that are out right now & I got credit towards my Southwest Rapid Rewards, too!! I reserved a midsize car through Alamo. I’m happy about that! I don’t know if you noticed, but Alamo has kiosks to electronically check in now. It usually saves a ton of time. That is one thing I can now check off of my list of things to do.

I’m REALLY looking forward to Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party this time around. I want to wear a costume, but I only will if I have someone to go to the party with. If I go alone, I will not dress up.
Some photos from MNSSHP 2009:

Some photos from MNSSHP 2001:

From 2003:

Sorry for the WAAAAYYY too much info today. I guess I just needed to vent a little.Thanks for listening!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Monday night I was watching tv while John & Isis were sleeping and I heard some scritchy, scratchy noise coming from the attic. We had just gotten about 5 inches of rain over the weekend & I think a squirrel took up residence in our attic. I am borrowing a have a heart trap from work & I am going to set it up later on. All I can think of is the movie “Christmas Vacation” with the whole squirrel scene because I KNOW Isis would be chasing that thing all over the house if it ever got out.

Your way more relaxed about that than I would be. I would be a basket case if I thought a squirrel was in the attic. I've seen that movie way too many times!

[Yesterday I got a notice in the mail about a recall on my Santa Fe- which is a 2003- because the front subframe apparently rusts & perforates from all of the road salt we use in the “Rust Belt” area of the country. I asked John how important it is & he said “Well, it DOES keep your engine in your car, so it is pretty important”. Fantastic. I drive 600 miles a week, so I have to get it looked at. They said they will replace it, too- which will be a huge job- so I am hoping they at least would give me a rental. I JUST finished paying it off last August, so I DO NOT want another car payment yet!! I have over 190,000 miles on it, though.

I would think that they'd give you a rental since it's a recall. I can't even imagine driving 600 miles a week. I've become so use to being a train commuter now. I drive my 2.5 miles to the train station and my 2.5 home and I've had enough. Even when I did have to drive it was only about 70 miles round trip. I can't wait until my car is paid off in October. This is the first car I've had that isn't ready to die by the time I've paid it off. It will be 5 years old and I haven't hit 30,000 miles yet. I the train.

I got an offer for a rental car through Southwest- I got a car WAY cheaper than the rates that are out right now & I got credit towards my Southwest Rapid Rewards, too!! I reserved a midsize car through Alamo. I’m happy about that! I don’t know if you noticed, but Alamo has kiosks to electronically check in now. It usually saves a ton of time. That is one thing I can now check off of my list of things to do.

That's great that you got a good deal. I still haven't decieded about renting a car this trip.

I’m REALLY looking forward to Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party this time around. I want to wear a costume, but I only will if I have someone to go to the party with. If I go alone, I will not dress up.

I love MNSSHP! While the Christmas party was okay, I didn't love it the way I did the halloween party. It wasn't nearly as much fun. I dressed up the last time I went, but my BFF wouldn't. I'm so glad I did. It added alot to the experience. It was fun interacting with the cast members. I dressed up as Belle, and had some really fun moments interacting with Cinderella's stepsisters.

If we go the same day this trip we should meet up. Then you can dress up too. I love any excuse to put on a silly costume. I'm already debating costumes for the fall.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Goodness gracious, you have had a lot on your plate lately. Hopefully, they can get your vehicle fixed quickly and will give you something else to drive.

Tell John to hurry up and either fix the air filter for the turtles or let you go buy another one. Don't want your place stinking to high heaven.

I would absolutely love to go to Disney World during ANY of their parties but I think Halloween would be extra fun.