I love this little place - and as we wandered through World Showcase, enjoying the Santas from around the world and the decorations, we decided to stop for a snack. DH wanted a pretzel and I love brats and sauerkraut. Yes, we live in Wisconsin and can taste the exotic at Epcot and instead I opt for the standard picnic and football fare from home.
What can I say? It was November (or early December) and picnics up here were a long way off...
I stood in line after ordering (very pleased that a pretzel counted as a dessert so we weren't saddled with a dessert we didn't want, and using a snack credit for the pretzel DH did want) and was idly listening to a conversation behind me. It was an older gentleman with a nicely dressed CM deciding to order two brats "in case she drops one". I laughed to myself because that sounds like me.
Then the other snippets were "Shoot by the fountain...passport to Europe...take a bite of the brat..." By this time it was fairly obvious to this Travel Channel addict that they were shooting the Samantha Brown Disney Christmas Special The DIS had reported was going to happen.
Too soon my meal was up and as I turned around I smiled at the producer and said "I'm so sorry to eavesdrop but I just wanted to say we love your show." He was extremely genuine and nice and thanked me and said how much he loves to hear things like that. ( I can imagine!)
I went over to our table, where DH and DS were sitting right in the doorway of the restaurant out towards the fountain. I told DH about the conversation and then we looked over at the fountain to see a lovely woman sitting there, alone and uninterrupted, reading some stapled papers. I remember thinking I loved her shoes but DANG they must be hard to walk in! (High heeled espadrilles??)
The best part - I got DS's attention and gestured to her and said, "Max...do you know who that is?"
He looked closely and then said "Oh - that's Samantha," and went back to the pretzel.
Oh to be six and just believe that Samantha Brown lives at Disney - of COURSE she's here Mom...we have all those shows taped at home of her...duh!
I was able to take a photo and then they began shooting. I made DH get up to take some shots and you'll never believe....
THE CAMERA BATTERY DIED!!!!!!!!
He did take some photos on my phone though.
We were able to sit back and watch her as she eats the brat, sits by the fountain and talks about how sauerkraut was a family tradition for her at Christmas growing up in her German family home. She taped it twice (three times??) and as you know if you saw the show - it made the cut.
She was SO gracious and SO genuinely nice to pose with people and chat with guests and it was so nice to see someone who is seems so likeable on her show really act that way with fans/guests.
We also attended the same Candlelight Processional as she did on that trip and when we got home and watched the special, it was doubly great for us.
So how was the food?
The brat rivals Wisconsin's best, the roll and sauerkraut were great and the pretzel was warm and chewy and good with mustard.
But seriously - this was one meal that was overshadowed by the company
And here is my only good photo of Samantha Brown checking her scripts. The others are on my cell phone and I have to figure out how to get them off.
It was a nice day!
I am so jealous!!! I love her!!!! Thanks for the celebrity shot!
. Together, we finished up the cupcakes while DH finished the sandwich.
looking at that Banana Split cake. Can't wait for more.
