How the Other Half Lives ~ Updated 10/22: I Forgot Something!

[A&Bmama]

That looks like a good meal. I'm not big on the idea of character meals but that looks like a good one. I love that you get to eat some of the things that are grown in the land. I had an ADR scheduled at one point but it got cancelled during one of the edits of our plan.

I couldn't see a hidden mickey but I did see something that looked a little like Donald behind some of the leaves.

 

[jc040404]

Yay for a character meal! I've been wanting to try that one for some time now, but can never seem to find an available time. It's so nuts to me. I didn't think it was such an "in demand" character meal.

Glad you had a nice time! That hidden Mickey has me about crazy though. I've googled and can find where it's supposedly at, but I still don't see it!

See him?

 

[jeni16]

Yay for a character meal! I've been wanting to try that one for some time now, but can never seem to find an available time. It's so nuts to me. I didn't think it was such an "in demand" character meal.

Glad you had a nice time! That hidden Mickey has me about crazy though. I've googled and can find where it's supposedly at, but I still don't see it!

See him?

I'm thinking his eyes are in between the 2nd & 3rd leaves. With the mouth & nose in between the 3rd & 4th leaves & the ears inbetween the 1st & 2nd. I think I see him there anyway

 

[Nermel9]

Garden Grill looks great! See, that's how character meals should be, getting a visit from every character! Of course, it helps a lot that it's not a buffet and you don't have to constantly be getting up! Chip and Dale are so cute!

And I can't see a hidden Mickey in that picture anywhere!

 

[Disneymoon09]

I'm thinking his eyes are in between the 2nd & 3rd leaves. With the mouth & nose in between the 3rd & 4th leaves & the ears inbetween the 1st & 2nd. I think I see him there anyway

I have seen this on another TR and agree. Its very hard to see, and IMO, a very distorted, on the verge of creepy looking Mickey. Maybe thats just me though!

 

[Dizneydawn]

I am only up to THE RUDE AWAKENING!!! but I love this and am so glad I had time to catch up with your TR!!! LOVE THE MOVIES!!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

You mean you DON'T see the Mickey/Elephant hybrid???


Seriously, that is really a stretch. But here is what the hidden Mickey website says

10.This one in the left side of the mural. There are three flowers, two blue, one purple. Above the left most one (the blue one I think) is a fern. Count six leaves up on the fern. Mickey's eyes are two black circles above the 6th leaf. His mouth, which is open, is below the 6th leaf. His ears are green and one is totally above the 7th leaf, one partially above the 7th and partially below it. His nose extends toward the right. Mickey is looking slightly downward to the left. It is a 3/4 view of him. It is an old-fashioned Mickey (more like the Mickeys in "Plane Crazy" or "Steamboat Willie"). If you have a hard time finding Mickey, just ask a Cast Member who works in the restaurant. They all know about him.

 

[A&Bmama]

Yay for a character meal! I've been wanting to try that one for some time now, but can never seem to find an available time. It's so nuts to me. I didn't think it was such an "in demand" character meal.

Glad you had a nice time! That hidden Mickey has me about crazy though. I've googled and can find where it's supposedly at, but I still don't see it!

See him?

That's the area that I was looking it but what I am seeing looks more like Donald, well, really it looks more like the Mighty Ducks logo.

 

[matkensgirl2000]

I love your TRs and have been an avid Dugfan since you began your year of Disney. All the food pics are the BEST!!

 

[Dugette]

That looks like a good meal. I'm not big on the idea of character meals but that looks like a good one. I love that you get to eat some of the things that are grown in the land. I had an ADR scheduled at one point but it got cancelled during one of the edits of our plan.

I couldn't see a hidden mickey but I did see something that looked a little like Donald behind some of the leaves.

I thought the Garden Grill was good, but I don't think you're really missing out a bunch by skipping it either. You must be leaving VERY soon for your trip, right? Is it tomorrow? Have a WONDERFUL time...I hope you do another TR!

I also see a Donald-like thing in that wall!

Yay for a character meal! I've been wanting to try that one for some time now, but can never seem to find an available time. It's so nuts to me. I didn't think it was such an "in demand" character meal.

Glad you had a nice time! That hidden Mickey has me about crazy though. I've googled and can find where it's supposedly at, but I still don't see it!

See him?

Huh, I guess I didn't think it was that in-demand either. We primarily went there because it was in the cheapest tier of Candlelight Processional packages. And because I'd seen food pics on a TR that made it look good.

I'm still not seeing the Hidden Mickey either.

I'm thinking his eyes are in between the 2nd & 3rd leaves. With the mouth & nose in between the 3rd & 4th leaves & the ears inbetween the 1st & 2nd. I think I see him there anyway

I kind-of see that, but not very clearly.

Garden Grill looks great! See, that's how character meals should be, getting a visit from every character! Of course, it helps a lot that it's not a buffet and you don't have to constantly be getting up! Chip and Dale are so cute!

And I can't see a hidden Mickey in that picture anywhere!

Yes, Garden Grill definitely had lots of character visits! I thought Chip and Dale were going to fight over us, since they each seemed to like us so much and kept coming back over and over. And it was really nice to not have to get up for a buffet...just sit and enjoy the changing view.

I have seen this on another TR and agree. Its very hard to see, and IMO, a very distorted, on the verge of creepy looking Mickey. Maybe thats just me though!

I completely agree with you on the creepy thing! The only Mickey-ish image I can make out is somewhat disturbing!

I am only up to THE RUDE AWAKENING!!! but I love this and am so glad I had time to catch up with your TR!!! LOVE THE MOVIES!!

Dizneydawn is here! I'm so glad you are enjoying this during your recuperating time. There will be more movies!

You mean you DON'T see the Mickey/Elephant hybrid???

Seriously, that is really a stretch. But here is what the hidden Mickey website says

10.This one in the left side of the mural. There are three flowers, two blue, one purple. Above the left most one (the blue one I think) is a fern. Count six leaves up on the fern. Mickey's eyes are two black circles above the 6th leaf. His mouth, which is open, is below the 6th leaf. His ears are green and one is totally above the 7th leaf, one partially above the 7th and partially below it. His nose extends toward the right. Mickey is looking slightly downward to the left. It is a 3/4 view of him. It is an old-fashioned Mickey (more like the Mickeys in "Plane Crazy" or "Steamboat Willie"). If you have a hard time finding Mickey, just ask a Cast Member who works in the restaurant. They all know about him.

I'll have to look over it more closely, referencing those instructions.

That's the area that I was looking it but what I am seeing looks more like Donald, well, really it looks more like the Mighty Ducks logo.

I don't know about you, but I could see things that more closely resembled Hidden Mickeys in completely unintentional places, like the bathroom floor at the Poly!

I love your TRs and have been an avid Dugfan since you began your year of Disney. All the food pics are the BEST!!

So glad you decided to say hi. A "Dugfan"! I love it! I told Dug you liked his food pics - he was rather proud!

 

[OatsZoo]

You mean you DON'T see the Mickey/Elephant hybrid???


Seriously, that is really a stretch. But here is what the hidden Mickey website says

10.This one in the left side of the mural. There are three flowers, two blue, one purple. Above the left most one (the blue one I think) is a fern. Count six leaves up on the fern. Mickey's eyes are two black circles above the 6th leaf. His mouth, which is open, is below the 6th leaf. His ears are green and one is totally above the 7th leaf, one partially above the 7th and partially below it. His nose extends toward the right. Mickey is looking slightly downward to the left. It is a 3/4 view of him. It is an old-fashioned Mickey (more like the Mickeys in "Plane Crazy" or "Steamboat Willie"). If you have a hard time finding Mickey, just ask a Cast Member who works in the restaurant. They all know about him.

It is definitely more clear on the big picture, it looks like he is looking to the right. It is like he is looking through the greenery. It is kinda blurry on the close up picture. Definitely not one of the best hidden mickey's out through.

 

[A&Bmama]

You must be leaving VERY soon for your trip, right? Is it tomorrow? Have a WONDERFUL time...I hope you do another TR!

I am posting this from the lobby of Loews Royal Pacific! We got in a little late, after dinner but we wandered around the whole area and it looks amazing. I am exhausted though. Only 3 hours sleep last night, and a very early morning tomorrow. Vacation is not for wimps!

We will spend the day at the universal parks and then head over in the evening to check in at POR. Cross your fingers that we get a good room!

 

[Dugette]

I am posting this from the lobby of Loews Royal Pacific! We got in a little late, after dinner but we wandered around the whole area and it looks amazing. I am exhausted though. Only 3 hours sleep last night, and a very early morning tomorrow. Vacation is not for wimps!

We will spend the day at the universal parks and then head over in the evening to check in at POR. Cross your fingers that we get a good room!

Yay, you're there! I hope you get at least a little sleep and have a good time at Universal! I will keep my fingers crossed that you get a good room at POR!

 

[soarinup]

I swear you are just the cutest couple! Your great big smile is ever-present no matter what your situation!

 

[pink5683]

I just stumbled upon this trip report and I am loving it so far! We are staying CL at the Poly in August, a definite splurge for us, so I am excited to read about your experiences!

 

[Dugette]

I swear you are just the cutest couple! Your great big smile is ever-present no matter what your situation!

Thank you!

I just stumbled upon this trip report and I am loving it so far! We are staying CL at the Poly in August, a definite splurge for us, so I am excited to read about your experiences!

Awesome that you'll be staying CL - it will be a treat! Do you have a garden view or theme park view reserved? Either way, having dessert in the lounge while watching the fireworks is a must!

 

[Dugette]

After wrapping up our meal at the Garden Grill, we made our way out of the Land pavilion. Just seems weird to be in the building and not ride or FP Soarin’. Anyway, we made our way towards World Showcase. Saw this on the way:

At the Garden Grill, they had given us our badges for the 6:45pm Candlelight Processional, since we had gotten the package. This would be the second of three performances that evening. The show takes place in the America Gardens Theater, right across from the American Pavilion. The last time we saw any sort of performance in there was the Eat to the Beat concerts during the Food & Wine Festival. We learned then that the “main” line wrapped around World Showcase to the left (towards Germany). So, we figured this would be the same. We boarded one of the friendship boats to Germany.

Upon disembarking, we saw a huge line. However, this line was for STANDBY guests. Those of us who had badges needed to go to the other line. Which went the OTHER way. As we started our speedy hike toward the other side of World Showcase, we were amazed at how long the standby line was. Did these people really expect to get in?

We kept walking and walking. Passed up the theater and were now walking to find the end of our line. The reserved line had actually already started entering the theater. It couldn’t be too much further to the end of the line, right? We passed up Japan. And entered Morocco. Somewhere between Morocco and France, we found the end of the line and joined up. Walked all the way back to America. We ended up getting seats over on the right-hand side of the theater. That theater really does hold a surprisingly large number of people. This Christmas tree was in front of us:

Soon, the orchestra started playing:

Next, the Voices of Liberty came out to sing. And then the massive choir began filing in and filling the risers:

The trumpets heralded:

The choir sang many beautiful Christmas carols:

Whoopi Goldberg provided the narration, the story of Christmas:

The show was very nice and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Although, I must say, one of the highlights for me was actually watching the sign language interpreter. She was over on our side of the stage and I think many people in our area were just mesmerized by her. She wasn’t just signing, she was interpreting everything with her full body and facial expressions. Just amazing and beautiful! You can see her here in the front, dressed in black:

After the show wrapped up, we had to make a bathroom stop. We fought the crowds and got over to the American Pavilion. We noticed on our way through that the outdoor seating area might work okay to catch the Candlelight Processional, if you’re not too picky about your view. We made our way through there and found the restrooms. Afterwards, we checked out the food court area, as we’d never seen it before. Rather boring. Crowded, though!

Also, we discovered another Gingerbread House, right there in the American Pavilion. Not as big as the one at the Grand Floridian, but still cool:

We decided to take a picture of me in front of it. We didn’t realize until afterwards, while reviewing the pictures, that this would be one of our favorites. It makes us laugh every time! Apparently, the cast member got caught in our picture and decided to make the best of it by becoming almost a part of the scenery. I love it! Here it is:

We had a little time to kill before our dinner ADR, so we meandered over to Germany to check out a couple of things. First up was the miniature train village, which had been decorated for the holidays:

So cool how they get so detailed!

Up next, we had to make a visit to the new Karamell Kuche shop in Germany. We had browsed through there briefly on our previous trip, but hadn’t gotten anything. This time, we had coupons for free caramel corn for Annual Passholders. It was the last day this was valid, so the line was quite long. We were determined to get our free bags of caramel corn, though. We also picked up a couple of other treats for later, a Dark Chocolate Caramel for me and a Caramel Marshmallow Swirl for Dug.

There was also a caramel house on display in the store:

The store was decorated for Christmas. We also got a souvenir for my co-workers. They love those Riesen candies, so I got a box of the Toffifays, since they’re made by the same company, but I’d never seen them before. They were pretty good, by the way:

We sampled the caramel corn as we scampered over to Mexico for dinner. Yummy! Pictures of the caramel treats coming later, once we eat them!

EXTRA BONUS

Well, we finally broke down for the first time and ordered a Photopass CD. There were so many pictures on there that were better than the ones they took on our camera. And I had some unexpected overtime money to spend, so we now have the CD. I’ll intersperse the pics in upcoming updates, but there are a few we already passed by. These were taken at the Grand Floridian earlier that afternoon:

Up next: We liked La Hacienda so much last time that we went back! And will we actually make it over to the late night (1am) at the Magic Kingdom?

 

[lmillercrew]

I laughed too when I saw the cast member in your pic!
I can't WAIT to visit the caramel store. mmmm....

 

[pink5683]

Awesome that you'll be staying CL - it will be a treat! Do you have a garden view or theme park view reserved? Either way, having dessert in the lounge while watching the fireworks is a must!

We have garden view reserved, which I think will be fine, as much as seeing the castle from our room would be neat, I can live with just walking down to the lounge to see it! I have a 3 year old, so it will be nice ot be able to watch Wishes in the lounge and not have it be so loud or to have to fight the crowds!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I just found this today and have enjoyed catching up on the first few installments!! We are headed to the world for Christmas 2011 (our first Christmas trip since 1997!) We are SO excited, and reading your TR is a great way to keep me pumped since I still have 10 more months to wait!!!! How blessed to get the upgrade to CL at the POLY!! You should have gone next door and thanked the Noisy Noisersons!!


ETA: My dog and my mom's dog would totally fit in your family!!

Same coloring