I Told You Driving Was Bad For Your Health! *2/2* NEW TRIP REPORT LINK P102

[MEK]

CoP...love that ride! Take me back to childhood in some of the scenes....well, let's be honest, takes me back as long as I'm awake! I usually fall asleep on it along with my youngest niece!

I know that feeling. Last October Cynthia and I were in there late in the evening and I thought for sure I was going to be out for the count, which is the last thing I wanted.

We love The PLaza as well, and I'm a rule stickler too...makes Shanleigh crazy but I just don't understand why people can't follow a simple rule and sometimes, jsut sometimes I can't let it go

The Plaza is just so perfect. I love eating there. Super fun. Yeah - the whole feeding the animals is so tempting because of the instant gratification, but I really try never to do it. I know Disney takes care of its wild life.

 

[MEK]

No Parking For You!

In my last update Denny and I had left the MK about 12:30pm. The plan was to enjoy some pool time before heading back later in the afternoon. I forgot to mention earlier that we did stop in guest services and have our PAP's changed to passes that INCLUDED parking.

I don't have any pictures from pool time. There was a pool in close proximity to our villa. The nice thing about the pool was they had two shaded areas and Denny and I elected to sit there. Denny hates direct sunlight. I spent a lot of time in the pool, er I mean bath water. Actually, it wasn't quite that bad. The pool had a 5ft area and that water was quite refreshing.

Wait, I lied. I Do have a couple pool pics.



How I kept my chaise from feeling like a bed of hot coals.



While at the pool I stuck up a conversation with someone who turned out to be a DISer. Not a TR DISer, but a DISer non the less. Her family was staying at the Polynesia Isles for free (a gift from MIL) and, although they didn't love the place as much as some other time share resorts, they were quite happy to receive a free stay.

After a few hours, and maybe an adult beverage or two, we packed up and started getting ready for our return to MK.

I started brainstorming about our approach. I'm not a big fan of the MK parking lot. I just don't love it. And since we had a TIW card burring a hole in my pocket, I suggested we park at a monorail resort and stop in for a pre dinner beverage.

Remember what I said about off-site - Here's everyone's favorite picture again!



We agreed to try the Outer Rim Lounge at the Contemporary,



But when we pulled in to park we were told "no" because of ongoing construction. Denied! Shot. Now we would have to go to Plan B.

Leaving the Contemporary



OK



Plan B was parking at the Poly and hitting the Tambu lounge for a tropical beverage.

Our reward. I do believe this is a rainbow.



Yup. Rainbow sighting confirmed.



I have to say, I have never been denied parking at the Poly. Love this place.



We settled in at the bar and enjoyed the cool details







My drink of choice - the mai tai!



This was SO good. Yum! Right up there with the Turtle Krawl. It was so good that I actually considered having a second, but decided it might be best to move on.

So, I actually got to cross this off my bucket list. Now it was time to head on into the MK.

I got a nice, unobstructed view from the monorail











We still had a little time before our dinner reservation so I suggested we check to see if any Space Mountain Fps were available.

Not only where there no passes available, but the ride was completely down,



This reminds me of Rosie with Marv on a stick!



Next stop - the HM



Closed



Open



The stretching room





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[MEK]

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Once inside I was determined to get a picture of the wallpaper in the queue. The results - not so great!


I did have better success with the coffin



I can't go through this ride without taking a picture of the bride.



And I love when I can get a decent picture of these guys



Hurry baaaack. Hurry baaaaack.















OK, I know, I know - I went a little overboard with the exit pictures.

Bocca effect, right Wendy? Totally unintentional, but still...



Sans the bocca





We decided to head over to BOG to check in for dinner.

This is quite possibly the ugliest backpack I have EVER seen in my life. How could I resist the opportunity to sneak a picture of it?



Arriving at Beast's Castle







I thought I took a picture of our beeper, but maybe not. We only had it for about 90 seconds before it went of and we were escorted into the main dining room.




The ceiling is so pretty







We were actually seated in a corner of the room.



My pictures from dinner are not that great because I took them with my phone and the lighting is bad. But here goes.

We had a great server. I think he name was Marny or Marnie or Marney or something like that. She was very bubbly and seemed very rushed, but also very eager to please. She suggested a couple different types of white wine for me. You know choosing wine without my sommelier Cynthia can be a challenge. I have no idea what I picked. It may have been a pinot grigio. It may have been a Reisling. I don't recall.

It was nice. Denny's beer choice.



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[MEK]

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Denny and I decided to start with the salad trio.

The watermelon salad was light and refreshing



This looks like beets, tomatoes, and mandarin orange?



I spy green beans and pineapples.



I enjoyed all the salads, although I recall that the green beans were a little too crunchy. A nice prelude to dinner.

This is a horrible picture of the seafood pastry dish.



What did I think? Well, the filling was very good but the puff pastry was dry as a bone. You guys know I am not super picky, but I definitely think they need to serve fresher pastry. Then it would be a lovely dish.

Denny had the salmon. I'm sure he didn't think it was anything special, Denny often orders salmon, but he never seems impressed so his neutral assessment is not a criticism. I only remember one fish dish that he absolutely loved and that was at a restaurant in Williamsburg. He's hard to impress.




I tried to zoom in and take this picture. Kind of weak with the editing. But I was ready for dessert. Bring off the cart Marnie or Marny or Marney. Please.



My choice (once I realized how bad my cell phone pictures actually where I decided to break out the real camera).



It was just OK. Yeah, I know. I wanted it to be super amazing, but it was just OK.

I enjoyed watching Beast come out into the center of the room every 15 minutes or so, but we were so far away from him that we could only see him for a split second. Bummer.

I really wasn't sure where the West Wing was and I kept trying to ask Marney or Marnie or Marnie where the West Wing was. Ok, I probably should have known, but I didn't do the best research people. Don't judge. Anyway, every time I tried to ask her she said, "I'm really busy now, but I promise I will explain everything to you as soon as I can".

The second time I asked I was ready to settle the bill so it was a bit of a frustrating experience. Maybe I was just being impatient.

We finally made our way to the West Wing. How freakin' cool!

Maybe the were waiting for a big group. Perfect timing on my account in order to get a picture of this big empty table!





The theme here was PERFECT!





The infamous rose



Was this a fireplace? I seriously don't recall.



When we entered the main dining room I tried to get a picture of the snow. Brrr! Pretty darn realistic for central Florida!



The detailing at the top of the ceiling



Restroom stop



Sherpa at work, but still not a good picture of the bathroom. Pat? You got any?



In the lobby



So pretty





I am embarrassed to admit that I have never been a big character person. I know. For shame. It's fun with a big group, but since Denny is LESS of a character person than me, well, we skipped our photo-op with the beast.

But I couldn't resist a paparazzi attempt



I found the room with the knights to be pretty darn cool.



They talked and in a way that was pretty creepy



Seriously - they looked REAL! I was waiting for one of them to follow me. EEK!



They were all slightly different. Great attention to detail



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[MEK]

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Of course I had to take a picture of anything that resembles music and might possibly be a real tune.



Cool flags



Back outside





So what did I think?

Food B -
Overall experience A

Where to next? A ride on the carousel? Don't tempt me!



But we had other plans. We passed the tangled bathrooms.





We were headed here



It's been awhile since I've ridden JC at night and I thought that might be fun.



A better view of our Captain.



And the last of the pictures I took because, without the flash, I got Nothing! And even though I don't think this was a flash restricted ride, I wasn't about to annoy other passengers with a flash. I just sat back and enjoyed the night air and the corny jokes.

It looks like we decide to leave the park after our cruise because my next picture is this.



The parade was in full force, but so were the crowds, so we just headed to the front of the park after a hasty picture.



We must of headed through the shops on main street to keep out of the crowds.



Our car was at the Poly (no flames please) so the next choice was Boat or Rail?

We picked



I've actually been thinking about retrying Narcoosee's in an upcoming trip. I think I'll save it for 2014.



Seriously, does this restaurant not have the best location in all of Disney World? Pretty darn close.



A night time attempt at the GF from out on the water.



Before we knew it we had arrived at our final destination



Crappy pool picture



And that, folks, is a wrap. Did I feel a little guilty for leaving the car at the Poly. Heck no!

This is a big reason why staying off site didn't bother me too much. We managed to get a resort fix by using the resort parking lots and internal transportation. I know this is a big No-No for some hard core DISers, but as I proved tonight, if you can't park there, they'll let you know. I really do believe Disney designs their resorts so everyone can have access. That is their way of attracting more costumers. It is only some guests who have the "no access" mentality and I find it a little annoying. I would never feel that way.

OK, rant over.

Up Next - a first time DISmeet with KatMark and a repeat meet with Mary and her girls!

 

[jash08]

I love exploring the resorts! That is some of the best memories for me from Disney.

And you stopped at the bar and had a drink, so you did more than just park there. Just saying

We enjoyed Be Our Guest also. The atmosphere is the biggest reason to go there. One of my favorite meals from our last trip. The food was decent, but the surroundings really made it. Well, that and getting to spend time with my parents and being carded

 

[KatMark]

Okay...great update; now let's get to the important one...the next one.

Seriously, great update.

Nice pool!

It is hard to get pictures in the Beast castle because of the lighting. Isn't it themed wonderfully? I just love it. I'm thinking you had an "off" night with the pastry because Nicki and Des devoured every last bite of their's last December. We saw the knights this trip and that was really neat. Oh...and the chocolate cupcake is to die for.

I don't have a problem that you parked at Poly because you did go and have a drink and sat there for awhile and had your TIW card. I have a problem with people who go there, don't eat and just park.

 

[Poolrat]

Hurry baaaack. Hurry baaaaack.

http://s235.photobucket.com/user/me...13 Day 2 Part 2/IMG_2675_zps8e52fcd7.jpg.htmlhttp://s235.photobucket.com/user/me...13 Day 2 Part 2/IMG_2675_zps8e52fcd7.jpg.html

I always struggle trying to get her picture. Great Job.

This is quite possibly the ugliest backpack I have EVER seen in my life. How could I resist the opportunity to sneak a picture of it?

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[/URL]

Sherpa at work, but still not a good picture of the bathroom. Pat? You got any?

No I don't yet.... I have to wait until Dec for a dinner ressie and I MIGHT get in there for lunch in Oct.

They talked and in a way that was pretty creepy

T H E Y T A L K E D?!?!?!?!??!?! That would so freak me out if I was not expecting it. Funny thing is I will probably forget by Oct and Definitely by Dec. so I will be freaked out all over again.

But we had other plans. We passed the tangled bathrooms.

Yes another bathroom on my list to visit and photograph....

I like taking the boat to the Poly. So nice and peaceful. It is such a small boat so it feels so private, except when you waiting forever for your semi-private ride.

 

[jenseib]

I think I read 3 TR's with the BOG review today and I posted mine too!
That is weird that your waitress just couldn't point the way to the West Wing...how hard would hat be?
We sat in the ballroom too, but our table was on the edge of the west wing.

 

[MeMom]

I only had lunch at Be Our Guest. The building and decor was excellent, but our food was mediocre.

Looks like it was nice night for a boat ride.

Was that backpack supposed to be a dinosaur or something? Very strange.

 

[natebenma]

What a great update with lots of fabulous pictures!

Your mai tai looks yummy!

The picture of the Poly with the Swalphin in the background intrigued me. I totally didn't picture it being there.

Nice Haunted Mansion pictures! I'll have to go back and look at some of my old pictures. I think I have the wallpaper in one or two (once we skipped the stretching room and I took a picture out in the hallway)

Be Our Guest is just gorgeous! WOW! The menu looks really good, but you are not the first, or even the second, person I know who was not blown away by the food.

We did the Jungle Cruise at night once, but it didn't do much for me. Maybe the animals are not nocturnal!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh MaryEllen, I know I sent you condolences on FB... but I'm hoping that all is going well for you and your family and especially your mom...

I'm working on catching up & just got through the end of Beaufort and HHI and you've come home ... but haven't gone to Disney yet...

I miss Savannah and Charleston and so definitely have to get to HHI... I love the fact that the points are pretty reasonable during the "off season" which is most of the year besides the summer...

Gorgeous photos of Beaufort... I love that you bride stalked... better than reality tv...

Enjoyed seeing Nick's graduation photos... I know you miss him... I miss my baby girl... It's harder than I thought it would be...

 

[Wicket's Mom]

We had lunch at BOG last week, ate in the room with the rose. That room was so cool as were the other rooms. Somehow I missed those knights, for got to look for them. We had a fast pass for lunch & had preordered our food. There was quite a line, but we breezed right in ahead of the line.

You got some great pictures considering how dark it was in there.

We missed HM this year, another reason to visit WDW again!

You too can learn all of those history terms. Just have a large library of history books of all kinds & be a voracious reader of said books! LOL

 

[scottny]

COP if you sit in the back row and keep the camera down they don’t say anything. I did that and someone in the 3rd row was busted once. LOL
Great COP pics.
I agree about the feeding duck rule. We need to enforce it. LOL
That is funny how empty it was but I would have been mad.
Nice pics in HM. Mine never come out.
Was the backpack supposed to be a turtle shell? LOL
We love Narcosse’s. So good.
I say who cares where you park. If they frown on it too much they would have stricter rules to enforce it. You were fine.
All caught up again.

 

[dizneeat]

I am another one who has no problem with you parking at the Poly - been there, done that.

Great update - I just started to get our photos in order yesterday (we took about 9000 over the 33 days we were in Florida) and funnily enough I was looking through our BoG ones too.

The interior is pretty neat, isn't it? We have been for lunch and dinner and liked both.

 

[Leshaface]

That backpack looks like a wart

You took such detailed photos of BoG. Thank you for that, since I doubt we'll eat there this trip

I didn't realize people had such a problem with parking on site, when you're off-site. I mean, they wouldn't let you pass unless you were allowed to right? I don't see any problem

 

[Millie12591]

And that, folks, is a wrap. Did I feel a little guilty for leaving the car at the Poly. Heck no!

This is a big reason why staying off site didn't bother me too much. We managed to get a resort fix by using the resort parking lots and internal transportation. I know this is a big No-No for some hard core DISers, but as I proved tonight, if you can't park there, they'll let you know. I really do believe Disney designs their resorts so everyone can have access. That is their way of attracting more costumers. It is only some guests who have the "no access" mentality and I find it a little annoying. I would never feel that way.

OK, rant over.

Up Next - a first time DISmeet with KatMark and a repeat meet with Mary and her girls!

I'm of the opinion if you are spending money on property, no matter where you are and you are given access to where ever you are wanting to go, why the heck not!

T H E Y T A L K E D?!?!?!?!??!?! That would so freak me out if I was not expecting it. Funny thing is I will probably forget by Oct and Definitely by Dec. so I will be freaked out all over again.

They whisper back and forth to one another, it's really cute. You have to listen really hard to hear what they are saying, but it really is cute when you hear it. They whisper in their cute, little French accents for a little bit and then they go silent for a little while and then they start it back up again. I think you'll like it, it's not creepy in any way.


Yes another bathroom on my list to visit and photograph....

You take the best one's! I have some from my trip before last, I was going to use in a TR I never started. If you need them, let me know.



I like taking the boat to the Poly. So nice and peaceful. It is such a small boat so it feels so private, except when you waiting forever for your semi-private ride.

Mackenzie and I took the boat over to the GF on Mothers Day for our Tea, it was so lovely, windy, but lovely. Such a wonderful way to get where you are going. I'll have to try the one to the Poly some time.

 

[Millie12591]

Enjoyed seeing Nick's graduation photos... I know you miss him... I miss my baby girl... It's harder than I thought it would be...

Sorry to hijack, Mary Ellen, I couldn't help it....

Patricia, I promise it gets easier. My son is now in his fourth year and I have to say, I thought the first year was going to do me in, but you learn to adjust and the second year is still a bit tough. Just brace yourself for the first visit home and then leaving again, it's a toughy. I remember when my boy went back to school from Christmas break, he called me while I was at a hair appt. to say he left the house and would call me when he got back to school, when I hung up I began to blubber like a fool.
It honestly hit me out of no where, and I remember being a bit surprised by it. Thank goodness I was among friends and people who loved me.

But now, I'm at the point where I'm ready for him to go when he leaves. It started last year, I found as time goes on they start to assert their new found independence (as they should-just not with such attitude) and don't want to feel they are being tied down by mom and dad in any way.
I'm all for this, I just don't want to be spoken to like I'm the dumbest thing that walks the earth, he hasn't learn to do this with finesse as of yet, so we're still trying to learn the balance.
Certainly not saying you'll go through this to the level I am, but it really does get easier as time goes on.

 

[chattadisser]

I’m just getting caught up again!

I have to say it is annoying when people feed the animals but it doesn’t annoy me as much as when people let their kids chase the ducks/squirrels! I’m always secretly hoping the duck/squirrel will turn around and chase them down.

Fun story, we were in EPCOT early one morning at the American pavilion waiting for it to open (long story why, but I can tell you now that nowhere in the World Showcase sells kids chicken nuggets..just in case anyone was wondering…you’ll have to go to the Beach Club for those) and when they opened the gift shop there was quite a commotion. Apparently when they open the store there is a squirrel that always trys to run into the shop and steal a candy bar. He/she is a Hershey fan (full size only) and they were trying to get the squirrel to give up the bar under the tree. Apparently, he’s successful about half the time.

I LOVE the eyes open/closed shot on Haunted Mansion! And the Bocca effect…I really need to play with my camera more. That backpack looks like one of those germs from the cold medicine commercials.

No flames here on the parking…afterall you probably paid more for those drinks than if you had paid to park in the regular lot. Disney didn’t lose in that deal.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Great update! The pool looks beautiful and really refreshing. I love all of the HM shots that you got - you can never have too many! Great review of BOG as well. They really did an amazing job with the theming.