I Kicked it I Played it and now..Wheeling & Dealing at the WL final 9/9 p87/88

[MEK]

When I left off we had just finished a bio break and a photo-op. It was almost time for Soarin, so we headed to stroller central (aka the Land). I needed to inform Cathy and Chuck that, "No you can't use your FP 1 minute before the return time." I am sure I saved Chuck from almost certain embarrassment.

Finally - 1132am and we were off to the races. Our wait time was actually a little longer than the usual FP wait, but we passed the time with our usual banter. I don't even remember the little pre-show instructions for the young aviators. I know that guy who has to take off his "little beauties" (aka mouse ears) always reminds me a little bit of Chuck, so I was prepared to laugh at that part, but we must have talked right through it cause I don't remember it.

We ended up in the second row all the way to the right of the theatre. It was a lovely flight over California. Cathy really enjoyed it. I was relieved that she laughed and smiled her way through her flight.

After Soarin we get in line for Living with the Land. I had to do a double take and blink a few times when I saw the posted 30 minute wait time. Whhhhaaaaat? Denny looked at the posted wait time and said, "No Way are we waiting for THAT!".

I replied, "Denny, look at the line. There is NO Way that is a 30 minute wait". I don't know what the deal was with the erroneous wait time, but we were on our boat in 10 minutes. I was looking forward to LWTL because it was down for refurb in September and my camera batteries died in June. One thing about this new camera - the battery lasts F.....O......R........E.......V.......E........R! Never again will this girl be foiled by a dead battery. I can sit back and relax and take pictures to my heart's content!

There are no restrictions on photography on this ride so it was "go time" with the camera. Like Melissa say's.....I was Rockin the DSLR!

Who doesn't need a nine pound lemon?????

I won't boar you with every picture, but you get the idea. Love this ride! I'm not sure what it is about LWTW, but it ranks right up there with Spaceship Earth IMHO!

When we left the land I stopped and took some pictures of the pretty mosaic tiles along the exit.....

It was almost time for our Le Cellier lunch ADR so I grabbed some random shots as we were walking towards Canada......

This would NOT be my first choice of jobs on a 90 degree day.......

What an absolutely, super cool playground. Back in the day I would have loved this place....

The gang was pulling ahead of me, so I snapped even faster. I knew if I didn't cut Denny off at the pass he would be in England, or possibly France, before he realized he had missed Canada!

Continued in Next Post...............

 

[praisehisname]

Love the pictures you got on LWTL. I've never stopped and looked at the tile mosaic; very pretty! I hope you get to enjoy your lunch...

 

[MEK]

Wrong lens shot.....

Take a good luck at the buckets in the next photo. In those buckets were the coolest hand made flowers ever. They were made out of palm and other natural materials. The petals are colored with food coloring. As soon as I saw the flowers I KNEW I had to have one.

I actually made my purchase after lunch, when I could relax and not worry about Denny leading Chuck and Cathy all the way to Morocco. The flower was really an impulse buy. I said to the artist...."I want one of these, but how the heck would I get it home?". "No problem", she replied as she deftly pulled out a 4 ft piece of bubble wrap.

I picked out my lovely palm flower and watched as it was skillfully wrapped in four feet of bubble wrap. I don't have a close up pic of my flower right now, but I promise to post one before this trip report ends because I know you are all going to want one of these flowers. They are simply too fab to not want one of your very own!

I got seriously lucky on the flight home, because there is no way my monster, bubble wrapped, flower would fit under the seat. Thank goodness for a 1/2 empty flight. My monster, bubble wrapped, easter-egg died, palm flower had its VERY OWN overhead compartment. How great is that? The flight attendant even moved someone's unsuspecting briefcase to make room for my fabulous flower. I know she was dying to see exactly what was under that 4 feet of bubble wrap!

One thing for sure - if I make it back next spring for a "Dis moms meet the Delaware soccer moms, meet Too Excited to Sleep" during the Flower and Garden festival, I WILL bring home another bubble wrapped flower! In fact, I might even bring home two!

On with the pics........

The kiosk selling my fab flower:

O Canada.......

Not sure why, but I felt the urge to throw a black n white one in for some variety:

If I could live in Epcot I might just take up residence here:

We ducked into Le Cellier and we were greeted with pitcher of ice cold water. Now that's customer service since it was freakin hot outside! While we were waiting to be seated one of the hostesses started playing trivia games with us. I didn't know any of the character questions, but I knew the question about ToT! Score me a mickey patch.

While waiting I took a picture of this light fixture for LL......

We were seated promptly as they were turning away walk-ups. I gotta be honest with you, I was hungry but I didn't feel like a big meal. I was sure in the wrong place for that. As much as I love the filet with the cream cheese mash potatoes, I figured I should stick with the lunch special. I really wanted some cheddar cheese soup. In fact, the soup and pretzel bread sticks would have been plenty for me. I decided to go with the prime rib sandwich. Denny had the burger. Cathy had the prime rib sandwich and Chuck had the filet.

Yum....this meal was really good, but it was just too much food for a GI tract with "issues" to handle in the middle of the day in the 90 degree heat. When nature called for a bio break I realized that the Evil D was not going to cease so easily. I had been fine for 3 1/3 hrs. Bummer! Thankfully I ordered the mojito sorbet. That was light and refreshing and a good choice for a full belly.

Here are a few pics I took of the details in the restaurant.....

Here is the lunch menu:

Chef's Favorites
The Chefs have chosen a few of their favorites so you can enjoy a truly exceptional Le Cellier experience.
Choose one from each category. No substitutions. $28.99

Appetizers
Mixed Field Greens
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Spicy Chicken and Chipotle Sausage

Entrées
Grilled Steak Salad
Sauteed Potato Gnocchi
Caesar salad with Grilled Chicken
Shaved Prime Rib Sandwich
Grilled Steak Burger

Desserts
Maple Créme Brulee
Canadian Chocolate Moose
Seasonal Sorbet


Everyone else ordered the Moose and asked for it "to go". What do you think the fate of that moose was in the 90 degree heat? Think melted zebra domes! yuck!

Bye Canada......

After lunch we headed to the front of the park. We had planned to make a Walmart stop this afternoon. We were out of water and we wanted to pick up a few breakfast items. We stopped at Mouse Ears. Cathy was looking for a gift for her daughter. She was hoping to find something related to robotics, but it was a no-go.

Up Next.....Where the H$#L is the car?, the $4 Walmart Rx plan, and is it possible to get into Cirque du Soliel 30 seconds before show time?????

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love the last picture of the four. It's a really good picture.

I can't wait to see a close up of your flower, it sounds really beautiful.

 

[KatMark]

Loving your pictures. I love the flower gardens in Canada -- stunning. Where is that playground? I don't remember ever seeing that.

Love the pic of the four of you--great shot.

 

[Charleston Princess]

The gang was pulling ahead of me, so I snapped even faster. I knew if I didn't cut Denny off at the pass he would be in England, or possibly France, before he realized he had missed Canada!

First, this is my favorite line of the update!!!

I am thoroughly enjoying your new camera, Mary Ellen -- great pictures of Living with the Land and the mosaic!!!

The picture of the four of you is fantastic! You all look like you are having a fabulous time together!

The flower you got is too cool, and thank goodness it was able to have its very own overhead compartment on the way home.

 

[KathyRN137]

... My monster, bubble wrapped, easter-egg died, palm flower had its VERY OWN overhead compartment. How great is that? The flight attendant even moved someone's unsuspecting briefcase to make room for my fabulous flower. I know she was dying to see exactly what was under that 4 feet of bubble wrap!

Funny!

That is a great group photo at the end!

Um, Cirque at T - 30 seconds?? Yikes!


Kathy

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I'll just second every thing that Jackie just said.

 

[klacey1]

Great update! I like LWTL, but I agree with your DH-- no way would I wait 30 minutes for it! I wonder why the time was so off?? I doubt that during any point in history, that ride had a 30 minute wait!
That group shot is great! In a nice frame, it would make a great trip momento!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I feel like a broken record, but I'm going to say it again - gorgeous pictures, Mary Ellen! Will you please come and teach me how to use my camera?

I saw those flowers too and really wanted one, but like you I didn't know how I would get it home, so I didn't buy one They were awesome, I can't wait to see a close up pic of the one you chose!

 

[eandesmom]

That last picture is fabulous! What beautiful F&G pictures, I want to go SO badly during that time of year! I don't see it happening but oh, I want!

How lucky that you had room for 4 feet of bubble wrap and your amazing flower made it home intact.

I have to admit I just can't imagine LeCellier for lunch. I'd need to go straight back to the resort and take a nap.

Not that I've ever eaten there...I'm in THAT club.

uh oh....lost car?

 

[praisehisname]

Can't wait to see the flower; it sounds cool! Lunch sounds good, mojito sorbet? Yum!

 

[dawnbu40]

I agree with you on the little cottage in Canada! I love it!

More beautiful pictures and I really like the one of the 4 of you!

I love that the flower got the vip treatment on the plane

 

[MEK]

BTW - just re-read and found out what OBX stands for. When are you going? We will be in Hilton Head area the end of July.

Sorry - just saw this! We will be in the outer bank from July 31st to August 6th.

And I just realized that younggrumpy guy posted the purus recipe (not you). So a Shout Out to young grumpy guy for posting such a great recipe. I already checked my local liquor store and they sell the purus vodka, so I am good to go!

 

[jenniferkeala808]

great pics mary ellen! I still have yet to catch up on your TR but I just read the last post! LOL! I promise I'll catch up on it! Anyway, love love love all your pics from epcot! Especially those F&G ones! I love how you took a pic of the mosaic's details. can't wait to see more!

 

[Nermel9]

Love all your pics, as always! I like Living with the Land too, only Disney could take something boring (to me anyway!) and make it fun!

The first time we did Le Cellier it was for lunch and it's definitely too much...it's hard enough eating it for dinner and thinking you're going to go back out into the park to have fun, lunch is just crazy!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

The more I see your pictures the more I want a new camera! Beautiful!

The pics of the Land were neat to see as I've not been there since forever. The Land was closed in Sept & I think that it was our last couple of times.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

You fall asleep during my update, I some miss yours! Geeze!

Great update!

You really, really are rockin the DSLR! I love that Water Lily picture! OMG! Fabulous!

Sounds like you had a lovely day at Epcot with a yummy lunch at Le Cellier! How was the Prime Rib Sandwich?

BTW, I want a close up of the flower!!!!

 

[jenjolt]

WOW!! What gorgeous pictures from The Land and the flowers at F&G!! Simply amazing! You are doing wonderful things with that camera!!!! LOVE IT!!!!

That last picture of all 4 of you is priceless!! VERY VERY NICE!

 

[MEK]

Love the pictures you got on LWTL. I've never stopped and looked at the tile mosaic; very pretty! I hope you get to enjoy your lunch...

I never really paid much attention to the mosaics before this visit. But once I discovered them, it was hard to pull myself away.

I love the last picture of the four. It's a really good picture.

I can't wait to see a close up of your flower, it sounds really beautiful.

Thanks. That picture was taken by the FP guy who told me all about the lens need. He mentioned it should only cost me about $400. ummmm...yeah right!

Loving your pictures. I love the flower gardens in Canada -- stunning. Where is that playground? I don't remember ever seeing that.

Love the pic of the four of you--great shot.

Thank. I'm glad you are enjoying the pics. The playground is off to the right on the sidewalk which runs from the HISTA attraction to the world showcase. Its a super cool little playground!

First, this is my favorite line of the update!!!

I am thoroughly enjoying your new camera, Mary Ellen -- great pictures of Living with the Land and the mosaic!!!

The picture of the four of you is fantastic! You all look like you are having a fabulous time together!

The flower you got is too cool, and thank goodness it was able to have its very own overhead compartment on the way home.

I knew you would love that line....so classic Denny!!!!

I'm so glad you like the pics. I had great time taking them.

I love my flower. The artist told me it takes 6 months to prepare the palm so that she can work with it. It's quite a process.

Funny!

That is a great group photo at the end!

Um, Cirque at T - 30 seconds?? Yikes!


Kathy

Yup.....good title for my next update....Cirque at T-30 seconds. That's exactly how late we got there.

I'll just second every thing that Jackie just said.

Great minds think alike! I am glad the misadventures of Denny bring a chuckle to other people!

Great update! I like LWTL, but I agree with your DH-- no way would I wait 30 minutes for it! I wonder why the time was so off?? I doubt that during any point in history, that ride had a 30 minute wait!
That group shot is great! In a nice frame, it would make a great trip momento!

I think for LWTL to be a rue 30 minute wait it would have to extend up the stairs and out the door. I have no idea why the sign was so wrong!


That photo probably turned out so good because the FP guy took it! I will post the real FP photos soon.

I feel like a broken record, but I'm going to say it again - gorgeous pictures, Mary Ellen! Will you please come and teach me how to use my camera?

I saw those flowers too and really wanted one, but like you I didn't know how I would get it home, so I didn't buy one They were awesome, I can't wait to see a close up pic of the one you chose!

Oh Michelle - your pictures are really good! You don't need my help, but thank for the compliment.

I almost walked right by the flowers, but I wanted one so badly! Major impulse buy,but I love it!
I will be back later with more replies!