How I Survived 11 Days at WDW with a Disney-Resistant Husband **2/20 THE END **

[3prettyprincesses]

Another fabulous update! I'm thinking of doing the pick-a-pearl for our next trip. Only problem is I have 3DD's! How much is it anyway? The silver cage is gorgeous! Does it just sit inside of it or is it mounted in some way?

Great pics, love all the ceremony that goes along with pick-a-pearl! My youngest DD is 7 so that seems like a great age to get one! What a special memory that must have been for your DD.

Looking forward to your California Grill update, we're eating there for the 1st time when we return to Disney!

 

[carrie6466]

I just found this yesterday. You are doing a great job, I'm really enjoying it. Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[MagicShell]

We have never tried Pick a Pearl, but it looks like fun. I like that carriage pendant.

 

[dismagiclover]

Great update! My DD loved the Pick a Pearl experience as well. It just makes them feel so special

 

[Queenofallthings]

Thanks for sharing that experience...have never had any desire to do that...but we will be doing it now. It sounds so fun! Thanks for the website I love it!!!

 

[kaysmommie]

I loved your pick a pearl update and pics . Waiting for more

 

[ladybugmom]

How fun!! Ally and I both picked pearls on our last trip!! It was sooo much fun! The ladies that work their are the happiest little things, aren't they?!

 

[cdotla]

I read it somewhere in the Disboard where the mom has 2 daughters and 1 son (the son felt left out so she started letting him pick a pearl and saved it).
Then I read another Thread where the son made a necklace from all the pearls he has been picking and gave it to his finance (he gave it to her on her first trip with his family)

Great idea!

I am so excited to do Pick a Pearl now. Dh bought me a gift card for my birthday with strict instructions it was to get myself a pearl. I also bought my cage from E-bay. This is one of the things I am looking most forward to when we go to Epcot. I remember when I was little my mom did it at Sea World, when there was still one in Ohio. It was so much fun there and I bet Disney is only better!

I am sure you will have fun with it! I was rather amazed at the crowds lined up to watch - and at least 1/2 of the audience were middle-aged to elderly men and teenaged boys! So trust me - it is definitely fun for all!

All caught up. Great updates of Jiko and Coral Reef. Love the food porn shots and the pick a pearl is amazing!

Thanks for sharing.

2 really good meals at Jiko and Coral Reef. And 2 more really good ones at California Grill and Narcoossees coming up. Gosh how I love my Disney meals!

Pick-a-pearl looks like a great activity.

It was - really fun!

I did the pick a pearl thing at Sea World, this was before Epcot existed. I had it made into a ring which I love. A friend gave me a canned oyster pick a pearl for my birthday which I put into one of those cages from eBay. Those are great.

Glad to see despite the Bad & the Uglies that there were many Goods!

Pick a pearl is great, isn't it? And yes, there were definitely plenty of great moments on our trip.

What a nice looking pearl! thanks for posting the link-need to get those for our Dec trip!

I am sure your girls will love it!

 

[cdotla]

Hi Trish!
I am sorry I haven't been on much lately. Between kids, school, church and other activities....wow! life has been busy! But, I am finally all caught up with your TR and from what I have read it looks like you guys were having a great time!

If time allows, it is great to have a relaxing day at WDW. We had a short fall break this year and drove to WDW for a one day trip (a couple of weeks ago) and then over to Cocoa Beach for 2 days before heading home. It was fun but wow, was it tiring. Waaaay too short! I am all for the longer trips. The longer the better!

I would love to try Jiko at some point in the future. I would love to go with just DH and have the deluxe dining. We could finally try all of restaurants we have always wanted to try. One day.... We also love the Coral Reef! I was leary to try it myself because of all the bad reviews. I think every restaurant has its ups and downs and it is just a matter of when you hit it. For the most part we have had great experiences and good food at Disney restaurants. The food pics are great... definitely making my mouth water.

I love the pictures from Thanksgiving. The pumpkin races look like a hoot! I am guessing those are actual (huge) pumpkins that are hallowed out?! What fun! Also, great pictures of the kids. I love the one with your DD in a tree...beautiful! Can I ask a silly question? What is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for you? Do you also eat turkey, dressing, etc...?

I am definitely going to do the Pick-a-Pearl on our next trip. I have seen it but never took the time to look into it. How do they charge you? Is it based on size or is it a flat fee? Thanks for sharing the link for purchasing the carriage! Great idea!

Looking forward to more....TTFN
Happy November!
Darlene

Hey Darlene! Happy November to you too!

Thanks for all the comments. It is great to know people are actually still reading this thing! I have been much longer completing this than I expected.

As for Thanksgiving - yep, we have turkey, dressing and all the fixings. Just like you guys do in the States. In fact, apart from the day it is held on, everything between Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving is pretty much the same. Except we aren't lucky enough to get Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving- either in October or November. You would think the shopping addicts and retailers in Canada would have developed a Canadian equivalent to Black Friday by now...nope!

And as for Pick a Pearl - it was either $15.95 or $18.95 to do it. I think $18.95. And it is a flat fee regardless of the size of pearl, or amount of pearls in your oyster.

I am finally all caught up. Phew. I have to say before I forget that I absolutely LOVE your christmas card! It's gorgeous! You really did get some great family shots.

I'm glad that you liked Coral Reef. We were apprehensive when we tried it and ended up really enjoying it as well. I think I also had the mahi mahi, which I don't usually like, but was pleasantly surprised by how good it was.

And I have to agree with someone else who mentioned it, but I love the kids clothes. I'm sure you would have quite a few eager buyers just on the Dis alone if you decided to get rid of some (like me ) I love how color coordinated you guys are sometimes. I don't think I could manage that with my husband.

Thanks so much for the comments about our Christmas cards. I really like them too. They are the best cards we have ever had. But I think that is largely due to the talented Roots.

Great to hear you also enjoyed a nice meal at Coral Reef. We will definitely be returning. Loved it!

Hi! I found your TR yesterday and could't stop reading it!...I finally caugh up and now I'm waiting for more... Love your pictures!!!!

Thanks so much for posting, and Welcome! I will have another update or two up over the weekend!

I have to add also, that I love the clothes that your daughter wears. I'm a Lilly fan myself & have several dresses, etc. They are my favorite Florida wear.

Nothing says vacation for me better than a suitcase full of Lilly P dresses! I just love the Summer Lace store in the Grand Floridian, which is chaulk full of Lillies!

Pick a Pearl sounds so fun! I'm always tempted, but I think I'll wait until I have a daughter to share it with.

Don't write it off so quickly....I went back by myself later in the trip to pick a pearl for myself and had a great time!

Just came upon your report. I've enjoyed reading it.

Thank you! Welcome!!!

 

[cdotla]

Another fabulous update! I'm thinking of doing the pick-a-pearl for our next trip. Only problem is I have 3DD's! How much is it anyway? The silver cage is gorgeous! Does it just sit inside of it or is it mounted in some way?

Great pics, love all the ceremony that goes along with pick-a-pearl! My youngest DD is 7 so that seems like a great age to get one! What a special memory that must have been for your DD.

Looking forward to your California Grill update, we're eating there for the 1st time when we return to Disney!

Thanks! Fortunately I only had the one daughter....it would definitely be pricy with 3 daughters. I believe it is $18.95 for the pick a pearl experience. Kinda pricey if you are shelling out for 3 daughters, that is for sure! Maybe the girls can start doing some chores to start "paying" for it, or saving their allowances to pay for part of the cost. I like having my kids work to save some of the money they receive for allowance or gifts throughout the year, even if it is to put toward things I would be buying them anyway. I think they value things more if they grow up having some appreciation for money and the fact that sometimes we have to work and save up for things we want.

And boy, oh boy, do you have a treat coming with an upcoming visit to California Grill! I have been there 5 times now and in my books it remains the most fabulous place to eat in all of WDW!

 

[cdotla]

I just found this yesterday. You are doing a great job, I'm really enjoying it. Can't wait for the next installment.

Thank you! And Welcome! Great to have you along!

We have never tried Pick a Pearl, but it looks like fun. I like that carriage pendant.

You will have to try it sometime. A great little experience for sure!

Great update! My DD loved the Pick a Pearl experience as well. It just makes them feel so special

I agree...such a fun and special experience.

Thanks for sharing that experience...have never had any desire to do that...but we will be doing it now. It sounds so fun! Thanks for the website I love it!!!

Queen, you are too funny. I never meant to talk you into pick a pearl, but I have a feeling both you and Jas might be walking out with some on your next visit.

I loved your pick a pearl update and pics . Waiting for more

Hey Nichole! I meant to mention this in my post but I forgot. It was actually your experience with Kaylee a couple years back that convinced me I needed to do this with Katie. Isn't it great when us Dissers share all of our great WDW ideas?

How fun!! Ally and I both picked pearls on our last trip!! It was sooo much fun! The ladies that work their are the happiest little things, aren't they?!

I agree...those women are just awesome. They are the ones that make it such a great experience.

 

[cdotla]

Dinner at California Grill

It was my mother-in-law's last night with us, so we ventured off to my absolute favourite restaurant in all of Walt Disney World - California Grill.

As Chris pulled up with the car in front of the Beach Club lobby, the bellman gave us the royal treatment by promptly opening our doors and assisting us into the car.

As you can see, I went pretty frugile with the rental car selection. Any wonder why Katie & I had to take the Magical Express with the luggage?

After a brief car ride, we stepped back inside the Contemporary Lobby and felt a twinge of deja vu. Just 8 days ago we had entered this very Lobby to check into our Tower room overlooking Cinderella's Castle to kick-off our trip. It felt good to be back at the Contemporary. I really love it here. But I certainly hoped that our meal at California Grill would go better than our meal at Chef Mickey's on the first night of our trip!

As we passed through the lobby, out of tradition the kids had to stop to watch the classic cartoons. This is something that we just do as a family. In every Disney lobby we pass through. It's a little piece of Disney that you don't get anywhere else, and a good example of why we keep coming back.

Eventually we made our way upstairs to the check in desk for the restaurant. Can you tell just by looking how pleasant these Cast Members were to us?

Once we checked in at the desk, a host soon appeared to escort us upstairs in the private elevator reserved for the restaurant. They are definitely trying to make this experience feel a whole lot more exclusive than it needs to be. Afterall....anyone can eat here as long as they book the place 180 days in advance.

The decor inside the restaurant is surprisingly not as modern or as hip as you would expect. In fact, it is a bit dated. But fortunately it is on the minimalist side which lets the views, the experience and the food take center stage.

While we expected to cool our heels with a drink from the bar, within a minute or so of arriving inside the restaurant we were called to our table.

Check out the view of Cinderella's Castle from our table:

And Space Mountain:

One of the most travelled people I know, a real "foodie" who has dined at some of the top restaurants in the world, rates California Grill in his top 5. While I have much more modest taste and experiences, the best meals I have ever enjoyed have been at California Grill and the Gramercy Tavern in New York.

To start our meal, we all enjoyed some tasty bread with sea salt butter. Can you see from this picture how good this bread tasted?

I was a little disappointed that they appear to have done away with the vinegar and olive oil. This is how the bread used to be served here:

However, there was a plus side to no more oil and vinegar...I always tend to overeat and fill up on bread when I am dipping it in this lovely mixture.

One of the best parts of my dinners at California Grill is always the sushi. Yoshi Cabral is one of the top sushi chefs in the world, and one of only a handful of female sushi chefs in the United States. She has been with California Grill since it opened. Her signature preparation can be seen in all of the sushi dishes served here.

One of my favourite sushi dishes at California Grill is the Rainbow Crunch. Unfortunately, my last 3 times at California Grill the Rainbow Crunch has not been on the menu. However, on all of these occasions, including our dinner this evening, Yoshi agreed to make it for me. She is amazing!!!

Chris and I both ordered sushi as our appetizers that evening. Mmmmmmm! Here is my Rainbow Crunch:

Still the same amazing sushi, although it was presented a bit differently than when it was a regular feature on the menu:

Here was Chris' sushi:

My mother-in-law decided to order something different, and went with Caesar Salad.

I have been to a number of restaurants which have served Caesars in this manner. Uncut and unmixed. I don't get it. Needless to say, I was very happy to have ordered my sushi!


(Continued next post)

 

[cdotla]

(Continued from last post)

After our appetizers, we decided to step out on one of the observation decks to see the sights and take some photos.

There is something so magical about seeing those Ferryboats in the background.

Declan being the little "ham" that he is....this is exactly how he "posed" for 95% of the photos with the Roots.

I wish Chris' eyes weren't closed for this picture, or that I had taken a second shot.

Just before heading back to our table, I discovered something in the restaurant that I hadn't noticed before. In the hallway leading to the washrooms, there are a number of framed articles about the restaurant, many focusing primarily on Yoshi. The articles are very interesting to read and highlight the great praise and accolades the California Grill has received since it opened.

Finally, it was time for our main courses. In this most fabulous of restaurants, with some of the most amazing and talented chefs on property, I was strongly encouraging my kids to try something a little different and expand their palates. So what did they order????

Why macaroni and cheese and pizza of course!

In addition to her Caesar salad, my mother-in-law ordered the shrimp salad and also shared some of my meal.

Chris and I both ordered seafood. Delicious as always!

During the course of our meal, our family became fast friends with another family dining closeby consisting of a couple and their daugher, who I believe was around 12 months old. This little girl took a keen interest in my kids, and whenever they would stop talking to her, or turn around in their chairs away from her, she would let out a big screech. Needless to say, the kids spent a lot of time talking to her in between our courses.

After a thoroughly satisfying and delicious meal, it was soon time for dessert. The kids enjoyed Mickey ice cream sundaes, and Chris and I quite enjoyed our desserts as well, sharing with his mother.

(Continued next post)

 

[cdotla]

(Continued from last post)


Just as we were finishing up our meal, the sun was setting so we all went back out onto the observation deck to watch it go down, and of course, take some more photos.

And just like that...all too quickly that sun was down.

We ventured back downstairs, did some browsing in the shops and stopped to play some games in the arcade. Then we took a short drive back to the Beach Club where we got the kids in their pajamas and headed out onto the balcony for yet another viewing of Illuminations. I could definitely get used to that!


Watching Canada, waiting for the show to start....

Then, it was Showtime!

Once the show was over, we said goodnite to Chris' mom and returned to our room. We tucked the kids in bed, and then I was off, with laptop and car keys in hand.

(Continued next post)

 

[cdotla]

(Continued from last post)

My usual habit throughout our trip, once the family was in bed, was to slip out and enjoy some downtime on my own. Tonite I was headed back to Downtown Disney to do a little more shopping.

This is yet another reason that I rent a car. If I had to rely on Disney transportation, there is no way I could do all the late-nite shopping I tend to do once the parks close for the night and I get the kiddos tucked into bed. By the time the bus would get me there, DTD would be closed.

Of course I stopped briefly at all my usual haunts:

And then got in a few more stores during this visit:

I was really more browsing than anything else tonite. I think I only made a couple of really small purchases. I just wanted to do one last sweep and make sure there wasn't anything I had overlooked on my previous visits.

While I really wanted to enjoy one last sundae from Ghiradelli before our trip was over, unfortunately I was still too full from dinner.

Eventually I started making my way over to Westside. This was the last photo that I took on the way.

Once in Westside, I browsed through Little Mismatched and D Street, both of which had opened fairly recently and were new to me. Quite frankly, I was underwhelmed by both. And I was completely underwhelmed by Vinylmation. I guess I just don't "get it".

After I finished up at Downtown Disney I headed back to the Beach Club, dug the laptop out of the trunk (perhaps not the best place to store it while I was shopping, but I didn't want to have to venture back to the room and risk waking the family at 12 midnite to get it), and headed to the Beach Club lobby. In addition to not having to worry about disturbing the family while I checked email, news from work, and got caught up on the news into the wee hours of the morning, I was also able to enjoy free internet from the lobby. During 7 of our 8 days at the Beach Club, I was in the lobby at some point between 11pm and 2am each night. Needless to say, I became quite good friends with the night staff.


UP NEXT: Last Day at the Beach Club

 

[ronnmel]

Haha, that's quite a funny reaction that baby had to your kids stopping giving her attention.

What a lovely view from California Grill.

 

[ladybugmom]

Love love LOVE the pictures from the top of the California Grill!! Especially those at sunset!! I really need to make us an ADR there sometime! It looks incredible!

 

[dismagiclover]

I love Cali Grill too! Glad to hear it did not disappoint!

 

[Queenofallthings]

What a fantastic evening you had! Cali Grill is one of our favorites and I can't wait to go back. Great pics too!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

We loved California Grille and look forward to going back in Jan! Yum sushi!

Amanda