I Can See Epcot From Here! ~ A November Trip and Dining Report ~

[seacrestpromo]

I went to a Golden Corral (aka The Trough) once in Salt Lake City - sorry, but never again.

 

[T*Bird]

I went to a Golden Corral (aka The Trough) once in Salt Lake City - sorry, but never again.

The Trough! That's a very good description of those big buffet restaurants!

 

[caa1277]

[FONT="Century Gothic
[FONT="Century Gothic"]
I don't remember who the seller was that I bought mine from. But I just did a search for one on Ebay and it could have been this person, this looks just like it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/18K-WGP-PEARL-C...276?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a4c44244

Good luck! [/FONT]

Thanks! I'm looking at one now and they are very cheap! I'll have to get her one.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hi Shelly! Did you work today? I see you weren't on here until late. I had a lot of things to do today, so I'm just now checking in, too.

Golden Corral! We have one here, but I have never set foot inside, so I can't comment on how good it is. Do y'all have Ryan's where you are? We used to have several here, but I think there may only be one still open, if that. It was one of those huge buffets with a big variety of food, but after 1 or 2 visits, that was it for me. (I didn't get sick, it just made me sick!) Ryan's is what I think of with Golden Corral, so I never went. And I agree with you - germs trump the big spread there!

So I've been trying to think of where you spent your last day. I know you probably did say something earlier, but I have a hard time remembering what I had for dinner some times! So, after careful consideration, my guess is that you went to MK again. So when will I get to find out if I'm correct? No pressure for an update or anything.......

Hey Teri! Yep, I worked yesterday. And was scheduled to work today, but we cancelled. I can't believe it. We NEVER cancel. I guess we got some ice through the night and are supposed to get an ice/snow mix today and tomorrow. Although it is doing nothing right now.

Nope, never heard of Ryan's. Sounds like Golden Corral though.

You will get to find out today!!! But I'll give you a hint -- it's not MK!!

I went to a Golden Corral (aka The Trough) once in Salt Lake City - sorry, but never again.

Thanks! I'm looking at one now and they are very cheap! I'll have to get her one.

You're welcome! I hope you get a great deal!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Day 8 – Saturday November 13



I don't remember exactly what time we got up. It wasn't very early though! We had no real plans and one day of tickets left. We got up and as I walked towards the bathroom there it was sticking under the door – the Envelope of Doom.

Well that's about enough to ruin your day. I picked it up and showed the family. Everyone just got real quiet.

We tried to pull ourselves together and decide what yo do with our last day. The general feeling was that we wanted to stick close to the BW and take it easy, hoping to make the day drag out I think! We decided that we would go over to Epcot for a little bit. DH got ready first and we decided that he would go over and get us some Soarin fastpasses (or so we thought). He walked over and entered the park right around 9:00 and went to Soarin, stuck all 4 of our tickets in the FP machine, got the 4 fastpasses and walked back over to the BW. Something made him take a look at the fastpasses as he was almost to the BW. Then my phone rang. It was him telling me that only one of the fastpasses were valid – his. The rest said they we invalid because the 3 of us had not entered the parks! We never gave that a thought. We just thought as long as he had all our tickets we would be good. Nope!!

So I told him to just take his time and enjoy some alone time. And he took me up on it! He went to the BW Bakery and got himself a coffee and a cinnamon roll and sat on the BW for awhile. Total price: $5.42

The kids had some cereal bars in the room and we got showered and ready for our day. DH came back up to the room and we talked more about what we were going to do. The kids decided they didn't want to go to Epcot at all. They were sure it would be crowded. (They were right) DH and I just wanted to go for a little bit. So we told them we wouldn't go for long and we all headed over.

I couldn't go during the F&WF and not get anything from one of the booths. So we stopped here real quick and I got the Cheese Fondue, for $3.

It was just okay. I thought it would be better.

We looked at the wait time boards and everything had a long wait at this point. Epcot was growing increasingly more crowded by the minute. It was the final weekend for the F&WF.

We hadn't gotten any pics in the front of the park since we had entered from the back each time. So we headed up there. It was getting pretty warm and the kids were in no mood for pictures! They wanted to go back to the hotel and swim! So DH and I got our picture taken. They came out so terrible because the sun was in our eyes, so I won't even bother to post them. But here's Spaceship Earth from the front of the park!

Next we went into the guest services building to the left of Spaceship Earth to have our boarding passes printed out. It was exactly 24 hours before our flight. The CM started to check us in and then I told him that we were flying AirTran and needed to pick seats and pay baggage fees. So he told us to follow him and he took us into a private room with a computer and let me do it myself. Him and DH had a nice chat while I was doing that. DH was asking him if he lived close by and he was telling DH how he and his wife had moved there from CT about 3 years earlier. DH seemed very interested and asked him lots of questions. I think he does this just to torture me!!

After I got everything done there and was now dreaming of living in Florida, I asked the CM if San Angel happened to have any openings right now and he said they did! I looked at DH and said – let's go see if we can get in and have a quick lunch!

We grabbed the kids some quick snacks, knowing that they wouldn't eat anything at SAI, and then headed to Mexico. We walked up and they said we could be seated right now. It was pretty empty in there. It was only about 11:30. I asked if we could have a seat by the water (I could see plenty of them empty) and the CM said yes. They looked at his computer and said – I can give you a table in the second row, but not right by the water. Okay, whatever. I wondered if maybe those ones were saved for people with ADR's or what. . .

We were brought out chips & salsa right away and our server was very efficient. An older gentleman.

There were only about 6 entrees to choose from. DH and I both ordered the "Pollo A Las Rajas – grilled chicken breast served over red peppers, onion strips, cream sauce and fresh cheese".

It was very good. DH really enjoyed it! He would probably go back there in a heartbeat. While I enjoyed it, I'd like to try some other places before going back.

Our whole SAI experience took only about 45 minutes. I couldn't believe how fast our food came out. It was only about 10 minutes from the time we ordered it. Which was good considering the kids were just sitting there munching on chips! They had fun watching the boat going by, but had to stand up to do so! Throughout most of our meal all those empty tables by the water remained empty. They did eventually seat people in most of them towards the end of our meal, but not all of them. I still don't know why we couldn't have had one.

Total Price: $36.21
Rating: 4 out of 5

During lunch I got a text. It was from Shawna (Disney Mommy 3) telling me that they were on the ME bus on the way to the BC! We ended up texting back and forth the rest of the afternoon keeping each other updated on our plans and trying to get together before we had to leave in the morning.


We left SAI and continued our way around WS. We didn't really make too many stops, considering we had spent plenty of time there on Thursday. The only stops I remember are Germany and Japan.

We spent lots of time in the Caramel Shop this time!

We got some yummy snacks to go. A bag of caramel & chocolate covered popcorn, a caramel & chocolate covered strawberry, and a caramel and chocolate covered pretzel. Total: $15.82. Seems kind of high for all that we got, but believe me later we were wishing we would have gotten more – it was so good!!


Up Next: BW Pool, one more time!

 

[T*Bird]

Hey Teri! Yep, I worked yesterday. And was scheduled to work today, but we cancelled. I can't believe it. We NEVER cancel. I guess we got some ice through the night and are supposed to get an ice/snow mix today and tomorrow. Although it is doing nothing right now.

Nope, never heard of Ryan's. Sounds like Golden Corral though.

You will get to find out today!!! But I'll give you a hint -- it's not MK!!

1 out of 4 chance and I missed it. That's why I never buy lottery tickets.

I'm about to go for my walk, so I'll have to read your update when I get back. I want to beat the bad weather we are supposed to get. By bad I mean stormy, not snow and ice like y'all are getting (and much of the country).


Have a great day with the kids! Stay warm!

 

[sjs314]

Good Morning-

Snowing here we have about 3-4 inches of the beautiful fresh new snow with the posiblility of maybe as much as 5 inches more then freezing rain and ice are predicted for tomorrw. So many bldgs have had roofs cave in and the news showed a long line of people yesterday waiting to buy roof rakes , I keep thinking if the winter is this bad will hurricane season be bad too

I know what you mean about getting that envelope, reality truely sets in at that point....I hate it

I would never have thought that DH could not get those Fastpasses for everyone........good to know though

Glad you were finally able to eat at San Angel, I have it on my tentative list of ADR's but I know if I show DH the pic of your meal he will say 'YUK" he will not eat anything with a white sauce , to me it looks delish. I have read at one one review where the OP said she felt the food was overly spicey? I want to eat there for the atmosphere, have wanted to since our first trip to Disney. I wonder why they would not give you a table in the first row strange to say the least.

Oh that karmel shop in Germany looks to die for , I have to watch my sugar intake but I do indulge in a bite or two here and there, and I do plan to on this trip. The carmel corn has DH's name all over it, he loves the stuff.

Can not wait to hear about the rest of your last full day and your meeting with Shawna

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

1 out of 4 chance and I missed it. That's why I never buy lottery tickets.

I'm about to go for my walk, so I'll have to read your update when I get back. I want to beat the bad weather we are supposed to get. By bad I mean stormy, not snow and ice like y'all are getting (and much of the country).


Have a great day with the kids! Stay warm!

I think I mentioned that we eventually went to SAI on the trip so that kind of gave it away that we went back to Epcot. But maybe that was one of those times I was rambling and no one was reading.

Enjoy your walk. I wish I could go out and walk!!

Good Morning-

Snowing here we have about 3-4 inches of the beautiful fresh new snow with the posiblility of maybe as much as 5 inches more then freezing rain and ice are predicted for tomorrw. So many bldgs have had roofs cave in and the news showed a long line of people yesterday waiting to buy roof rakes , I keep thinking if the winter is this bad will hurricane season be bad too

I know what you mean about getting that envelope, reality truely sets in at that point....I hate it

I would never have thought that DH could not get those Fastpasses for everyone........good to know though

Glad you were finally able to eat at San Angel, I have it on my tentative list of ADR's but I know if I show DH the pic of your meal he will say 'YUK" he will not eat anything with a white sauce , to me it looks delish. I have read at one one review where the OP said she felt the food was overly spicey? I want to eat there for the atmosphere, have wanted to since our first trip to Disney. I wonder why they would not give you a table in the first row strange to say the least.

Oh that karmel shop in Germany looks to die for , I have to watch my sugar intake but I do indulge in a bite or two here and there, and I do plan to on this trip. The carmel corn has DH's name all over it, he loves the stuff.

Can not wait to hear about the rest of your last full day and your meeting with Shawna

That envelope is the most depressing thing ever!!

I had no idea about the fastpass thing. I guess it makes sense when you think about it, if you didn't enter the park you don't really need a fastpass. We felt pretty dumb! But everyone I have told about it since say they wouldn't have known either.

The SAI food is really spicy. Good, but very spicy. Maybe a little too spicy for my taste.

There are so many yummy things to choose from in that new Germany store. Lots of sugar though! Just get a chocolate & caramel covered strawberry, that takes away some of the guilt!


Stay safe and warm Sheila!

 

[lala3291]

Ugh...the envelope of doom! We definitely dread the day that that is delivered to the room!
It is snowing here yet again! Between today and tomorrow, we are supposed to get between 15 and 20 inches Hope you are enjoying your day off!
By the way, we just planned a last minute WDW vacation to the BC in 5 weeks! DD19 will be down there for spring break, and DH and I could get the time off, so we are WDW bound I'm off to make a ticker!

 

[JoBird]

Heaven, I'm in Heaven....

Epcot, Mexican food and chocolate - caramel covered strawberries (b/c if you're gonna eat fattening stuff you HAVE to mix in something to balance your guilt...).
What a wonderful time--- minus the crowds of course.

I knew where you had gone that day-- I'm glad you were able to head to SAI and get in. IDK why the people that seat you there are such pains. It's always that way--- it's like the tables by the water are gold inlaid and your fanny had better be of royal descent to even ask to be seated there or they look at you like you have twelve heads and are pink and purple in color.
I'm glad you posted that pic of what you ordered- it looked very good.

I hate the envelope. They even try to make it look cute by putting Mickey on the outside knowing full well that when you open it up you want to slap someone.





Anywho.......................
Sad it's almost over. Great update.




PS--- I can't believe your school cancelled!!!!!! That is crazy! We of course are having the blizzard of the century and I feel like I'm back in the 'Burgh.

 

[sjs314]

Heaven, I'm in Heaven....

Epcot, Mexican food and chocolate - caramel covered strawberries (b/c if you're gonna eat fattening stuff you HAVE to mix in something to balance your guilt...).
What a wonderful time--- minus the crowds of course.

I knew where you had gone that day-- I'm glad you were able to head to SAI and get in. IDK why the people that seat you there are such pains. It's always that way--- it's like the tables by the water are gold inlaid and your fanny had better be of royal descent to even ask to be seated there or they look at you like you have twelve heads and are pink and purple in color. I'm glad you posted that pic of what you ordered- it looked very good.

I hate the envelope. They even try to make it look cute by putting Mickey on the outside knowing full well that when you open it up you want to slap someone.





Anywho.......................
Sad it's almost over. Great update.




PS--- I can't believe your school cancelled!!!!!! That is crazy! We of course are having the blizzard of the century and I feel like I'm back in the 'Burgh.

OMG Jo - You have me LMAO over here with that comment about SA

I want to make an ADR there now just so I can try and get my royal butt planted in one of them golden seats by the water.

 

[JoBird]

Good luck with that Sheila. You'd better take your pedigree with you.
Or coat of arms.
Or family tree dating back to King George.

They don't just take anyone there you know.

 

[T*Bird]

I think I mentioned that we eventually went to SAI on the trip so that kind of gave it away that we went back to Epcot. But maybe that was one of those times I was rambling and no one was reading.

Enjoy your walk. I wish I could go out and walk!!

I was reading your update , and as soon as I got to the part where you asked the CM about SAI, I thought, "Oh, yeah, now I remember!" I definitely read that part in your earlier post. In fact, I was scolding other people who weren't reading every reply! That'll teach me to be a smart.......aleck!

I'm so glad you got to try SAI out and enjoyed it. I must have some royal blood in me because we were seated right next to the water. It was probably just your theory - we did have a dinner ADR. If I'm royal, then I should have received an invitation to Prince William's wedding by now. Maybe it's a different royal family.

The caramel shop looks wonderful! Ummm..... caramel popcorn, turtles, all my favorites!

So sad about the envelope of doom. The last half of a vacation always seems to fly by.

My walk was fine, and indoors. After I finished, I decided to stop by Sam's and Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. I wanted to make gumbo tonight since it's going to be cold (supposed to get down to 27, and yesterday it was 75). It had started to rain a little but I thought I could just get in and out pretty quickly. Well, as soon as I started running up to Sam's, my dinky umbrella had turned inside out and I was getting drenched from the blowing rain. So I just turned myself around and ran back to my car. So much for gumbo. I'll have to look in my freezer for something.

I hope you are not getting too much more snow today. It really looks bad across the country. Hey Jo, are you getting snow? Looks like you might be in the line of the storm.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

The Envelope of Doom is sad. I hate seeing it. You plan these trips forever and then they just fly by, don't they?

What a bummer that Epcot was so busy due to the festival. I want to avoid that in October. I'm not a fan of crowds at all. Your SAI food looks really yummy though. I love Mexican food! How weird though about not being able to get a table next to the water. That's sort of bizarre if they weren't being used for something.

Everything in the caramel shop looks delicious!!! Hello caramel goodness!

 

[jbmom]

That envelope bursts my Disney bubble everytime! I wish it didn't have to show up at all.

I'm glad to hear a good review of San Angel. I'm finally making an ADR there after 6 years of hemming and hawing. The boys won't like anything there so they will be having counter service, riding the boat and maybe the Kim Possible mission in Mexico while we eat an early lunch. I'm hoping if we make an ADR for opening we can get in and out fast.

I'm definately going to spend some time in the caramel shop in August. I think I see a great use of some snack credits!

I'm ready to move south too, especially today with our blizzard warning. Dh came home yesterday and said he had a job offer. I asked where and he said not Florida!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Ugh...the envelope of doom! We definitely dread the day that that is delivered to the room!
It is snowing here yet again! Between today and tomorrow, we are supposed to get between 15 and 20 inches Hope you are enjoying your day off!
By the way, we just planned a last minute WDW vacation to the BC in 5 weeks! DD19 will be down there for spring break, and DH and I could get the time off, so we are WDW bound I'm off to make a ticker!

I know, I always know it's coming but it's just so hard to see!

Congrats on your last minute trip!! Sounds awesome!


Stay safe with all that snow!

Heaven, I'm in Heaven....

Epcot, Mexican food and chocolate - caramel covered strawberries (b/c if you're gonna eat fattening stuff you HAVE to mix in something to balance your guilt...).
What a wonderful time--- minus the crowds of course.

I knew where you had gone that day-- I'm glad you were able to head to SAI and get in. IDK why the people that seat you there are such pains. It's always that way--- it's like the tables by the water are gold inlaid and your fanny had better be of royal descent to even ask to be seated there or they look at you like you have twelve heads and are pink and purple in color.
I'm glad you posted that pic of what you ordered- it looked very good.

I hate the envelope. They even try to make it look cute by putting Mickey on the outside knowing full well that when you open it up you want to slap someone.





Anywho.......................
Sad it's almost over. Great update.




PS--- I can't believe your school cancelled!!!!!! That is crazy! We of course are having the blizzard of the century and I feel like I'm back in the 'Burgh.

Yes, it was quite the yummy day. I wish I could have one of those strawberries right now!

I know, can you believe Mickey on the envelope looking all happy with his luggage? What's that all about?


I can't believe we cancelled either. It still hasn't snowed/rained since very early this morning. . .

OMG Jo - You have me LMAO over here with that comment about SA

I want to make an ADR there now just so I can try and get my royal butt planted in one of them golden seats by the water.

Good luck with that Sheila. You'd better take your pedigree with you.
Or coat of arms.
Or family tree dating back to King George.

They don't just take anyone there you know.

For a minute there, when the CM said - sure you can sit by the water (before he suddenly changed his mind ), that we were pretty special! But it turned out that we weren't special after-all.

 

[seacrestpromo]

Shelly...

"the Envelope of Doom" -

Your food at SAI looks very delicious! We love Mexican food so much, we eat it at least once or twice a week. The spicier the better for us! Definitely going to have to try that place either in May or August.

My wife loves that German store too, because, of course, she is German. Always a fun place to visit and to taste the wonderful specialties.

Thanks for sharing this today.

 

[princessjv]

They should let you opt to not recieve the envelope until the morning you are checking out, unless you have an early flight.

It always puts pit in the tummy.

What a bummer about the FP's for Soarin. I tried that once and was totally bummed out. Poo!

I must try the mexican resturants next time. I love Mexican food and it looked great! Your bill was totally cheap! No adult bevies?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I was reading your update , and as soon as I got to the part where you asked the CM about SAI, I thought, "Oh, yeah, now I remember!" I definitely read that part in your earlier post. In fact, I was scolding other people who weren't reading every reply! That'll teach me to be a smart.......aleck!

I'm so glad you got to try SAI out and enjoyed it. I must have some royal blood in me because we were seated right next to the water. It was probably just your theory - we did have a dinner ADR. If I'm royal, then I should have received an invitation to Prince William's wedding by now. Maybe it's a different royal family.

The caramel shop looks wonderful! Ummm..... caramel popcorn, turtles, all my favorites!

So sad about the envelope of doom. The last half of a vacation always seems to fly by.

My walk was fine, and indoors. After I finished, I decided to stop by Sam's and Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. I wanted to make gumbo tonight since it's going to be cold (supposed to get down to 27, and yesterday it was 75). It had started to rain a little but I thought I could just get in and out pretty quickly. Well, as soon as I started running up to Sam's, my dinky umbrella had turned inside out and I was getting drenched from the blowing rain. So I just turned myself around and ran back to my car. So much for gumbo. I'll have to look in my freezer for something.

I hope you are not getting too much more snow today. It really looks bad across the country. Hey Jo, are you getting snow? Looks like you might be in the line of the storm.

I thought that was you that was scolding people for not reading!

Well aren't you special getting to sit by the water at SAI. I guess I should have mentioned your name when we checked in.

The caramel shop is heaven. So many wonderful things to choose from.

Glad your walk was nice. Sorry about the rain/umbrella incident!

The Envelope of Doom is sad. I hate seeing it. You plan these trips forever and then they just fly by, don't they?

What a bummer that Epcot was so busy due to the festival. I want to avoid that in October. I'm not a fan of crowds at all. Your SAI food looks really yummy though. I love Mexican food! How weird though about not being able to get a table next to the water. That's sort of bizarre if they weren't being used for something.

Everything in the caramel shop looks delicious!!! Hello caramel goodness!

That is the worst. After all those months of planning and vacation seems to be the fastest week of the year.

The F&WF really took away from Epcot for us. We went there 4 times and each time it was crowded. We still got to do everything we wanted and it was still fun. I just couldn't believe the people that thing brings in.

You've definitely got to stop at the caramel shop next trip!

That envelope bursts my Disney bubble everytime! I wish it didn't have to show up at all.

I'm glad to hear a good review of San Angel. I'm finally making an ADR there after 6 years of hemming and hawing. The boys won't like anything there so they will be having counter service, riding the boat and maybe the Kim Possible mission in Mexico while we eat an early lunch. I'm hoping if we make an ADR for opening we can get in and out fast.

I'm definately going to spend some time in the caramel shop in August. I think I see a great use of some snack credits!

I'm ready to move south too, especially today with our blizzard warning. Dh came home yesterday and said he had a job offer. I asked where and he said not Florida!

Yep -- that's what the envelope is, a real bubble burster! You are in your own little world at Disney all week and everything is fantastic and then you see that stupid thing.

SAI will be nice for you while the boys do something else. And you will likely get in and out quickly if you go for an early lunch. It wasn't busy at all and it was a Saturday.

Sorry your DH's offer wasn't in Florida!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly...

"the Envelope of Doom" -

Your food at SAI looks very delicious! We love Mexican food so much, we eat it at least once or twice a week. The spicier the better for us! Definitely going to have to try that place either in May or August.

My wife loves that German store too, because, of course, she is German. Always a fun place to visit and to taste the wonderful specialties.

Thanks for sharing this today.

I bet you guys would love SAI! I recently saw a few reviews of the CS restaurant in Mexico - La Cantina. I think we are going to give it a try next time.

They should let you opt to not recieve the envelope until the morning you are checking out, unless you have an early flight.

It always puts pit in the tummy.

What a bummer about the FP's for Soarin. I tried that once and was totally bummed out. Poo!

I must try the mexican resturants next time. I love Mexican food and it looked great! Your bill was totally cheap! No adult bevies?

It gives me a stomach ache! Maybe even an ulcer! It's just a yucky feeling.

Glad to hear we aren't the only ones who tried the FP thing. I really thought it would work.

Yeah, SAI wasn't very expensive. Nope, no drinks - it was pretty early in the day! Actually I don't think I had any "adult beverages" on the trip. I meant to get a Grey Goose Slushy in France, but forgot!