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

[Pinkocto]

Oh how I love the details in the Muppet waiting area! Miss Piggy is striking a provocative pose in the calendar photo. And the dress boxes are too funny! I've seen the key, and taken pictures on two occasions, but never noticed its screwed down

Nice to relive those memories even though the food wasn't the best. I must tell you, I discovered an absolutely fabulous veggie sandwich at Studio Catering next to the Back Lot tour. We had never been there before and mom had a scrumptious Greek salad. That will probably be our go to place at HS now.

I think the rebel spy is always in the same seat, I may be wrong but I'm curious how they pick them.

Good luck with work this weekend, I hope it goes well

 

[jash08]

The salad definitely looks yummy.

I think the Tune In Lounge is great. It is so kitchy in there.

I am with Teeka. No Tower on a good day and absolutely no way on a full tummy!

 

[MEK]

So I'm at work. Going to try to get a little sleep before someone wakes me up. I will eventually get around to replies. It's just so hard when I work the weekend. I'd much rather read and comment on someone else's TR!

 

[dizneeat]

Somehow I missed your update yesterday but it is a great one!

Love that you got on Star Tours and Muppets and I just love all the pics you took. Sorry about your pasta at MM. We have eaten there a lot of times and even though it can be hit or miss we had more hits than misses.

Your ToT pics are AWESOME.

 

[MeMom]

Tower of Terror is one of my favorite rides. I despise elevators, but for the thrill of the ride, I make myself do it. I am always relieved when that door opens after the initial closing.

We enjoyed our Mama Melrose spaghetti. The servings were huge! We have only been that one time, though. The only Hollywood restaurant we have not been to yet is Brown Derby.

 

[englishrose47]

I have to join the ranks of NAY sayers for Mama Melroses , we had the worst service , the longest wait and cold food . It will be a long time before I try t again !@!

 

[Pinkocto]

Hi Mary Ellen, I hope work hasn't been too bad. Wanted to give you the link to my VGF TR

 

[amazingact21]

I have never been to Mama Melrose's before. One of those places that's forever on my To-try list. And between Alex loving Sci Fi and me loving 50's, who knows when I'll get around to eating there.

I can completely relate to eating at a restaurant for nostalgia's sake. Sometimes, it's the memory the place holds that makes the meal so fun. Denny's dish does look tasty, though, as does your salad.


ToT after a meal?
Whew, you're better than me. I don't think I could have handled that. And your photos are fabulous! I always enjoy seeing your ride picutes. (Almost as much as I love your morning run shots.)

 

[scottny]

Is that the trick in POTC to take it off auto focus? I can never get good pics.
Great nighttime pics.
Fantastic photos from the balloon. Nice you got to stay up double the time. I think he was my operator too the last time I did it.
Congrats on the purchase. We looked at the models also last week but I will reveal that in my tr. LOL
All caught up

 

[rentayenta]

Pssst.....whole wheat pasta sucks. Unless its in a creamy vodka sauce and then it's still just okay. Michael likes ww pasta too but I just can't get into it. I'm sorry dinner was just okay but it is a cute place. We went on our first trip in 2007 and really liked it but like you, it was one of our first WDW family meals so I've got a soft spot for it. That and 'Ohana.

 

[marDgreen88]

Last night already? Love your DHS pictures! That park is so much more vibrant at night. Congrats on the VGF!!! SO exciting!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mickeystoontown]

Last night already? Gosh time flies when you're having fun at Disney!

It's too bad that your meal was just meh at Mama Melrose's. At least Denny's had some flavor to it.

 

[afwdwfan]

Flights of Wonder looks like a good time. Kind of neat to see all the various landmarks from so high up.

Congrats on the new DVC purchase! I know that it will be a worthwhile investment for you. Granted, I'm not exactly big on the GF to begin with, but if that's what you're interested in, I know you'll enjoy it!

A fun last evening at DHS hitting most of my favorites. I have to say that I really like Mama Melrose. I'm glad you went through with the meal there and got a few more park hours instead of going to Celebration. I'm sorry your meal wasn't quite as good as you would have liked though.

 

[MEK]

I'm still here friends. I just have a terrible time DISing when I am on a long work stretch. I can never seem to concentrate in the evening. Anyway - I'm on Day 10. Today and tomorrow and then I have a 3 day weekend. Woo hop! I hope to do replies and some DISing this evening!

Happy Wednesday!

 

[MeMom]

I'm still here friends. I just have a terrible time DISing when I am on a long work stretch. I can never seem to concentrate in the evening. Anyway - I'm on Day 10. Today and tomorrow and then I have a 3 day weekend. Woo hop! I hope to do replies and some DISing this evening!

Happy Wednesday!

I will empathize with you on this. After school all day - and all the craziness that comes with that - and then some nights the part-time job, I am wiped out when I get home. I try to peek in on FB for a few minutes to see what is going on in the lives of friends and family, but after a few minutes, I shut down and am ready for some sleep. I love coming to the DIS to see everyone's pictures, when my mind is awake and aware enough to absorb them.

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm still here friends. I just have a terrible time DISing when I am on a long work stretch. I can never seem to concentrate in the evening. Anyway - I'm on Day 10. Today and tomorrow and then I have a 3 day weekend. Woo hop! I hope to do replies and some DISing this evening!

Happy Wednesday!

Sounds like they're working you to the bone! I hope you're doing ok

 

[MEK]

What a nice way to end your night.

Considering I wasn't really sure if I wanted to go to HS, we ended up having a really fun time!

I have never done Mama Melrose. I hear so many so-so reviews and well my dining card is usually filled up so I keep putting it on the back burner.

I know what you mean. It's not one of those places that comes to mind as a must dinner location, but it was fun for a change. I'm glad we went. It will probably be awhile before we go back, but still fun.

Great shots in ToT !!!! DHS has some pretty areas at night.

Thanks. I love DHS at night. It really is pretty cool after dark.

Great update, MEK. Glad you got some final pool time in. We haven't been to Mama Melrose since 2008 for our 25th anniversary. Mary and the girls and I are doing the Fantasmic package in June (can you believe the girls have never seen Fantasmic) and Mark and I are going to do it in September as he's been wanting to go back. I know it's not the best food, but it's better than a lot of the offerings at the Studios.

I think the F! Package is really the way to do it. I was hoping to do the F! package, but once my brother canceled I decided to bag it. I think its better if you have a group.

So, my advice is not to get the whole wheat pasta.

I always forget to look for that key; I'll have to put Mark on that duty next trip. I did like the new stuff they put in the waiting area before entering the theater.

I love the waiting area. There is so much to look at and never enough time to take it all in. I think putting Mark on key duty is a great idea.

Your pictures of TOT are great! I totally didn't get many at all when there last month. I love your redneck photo.

Thanks! I didn't take as many as I usually do but I think the queue was moving pretty fast. One day I might get brave enough to take a picture ON the ride.

Sorry you have to work all weekend again, and hope you can enjoy part of it.

Well, my long stretch of work is almost over. Yay! At least I have a 3 day weekend! So excited about that.

I want to be the rebel spy just to get the t-shirt. I mean, I could buy the shirt anyway but I don't want to wear a lie.

Exactly! I mean - why would you want the T-shirt if you haven't been the rebel spy? It's just NOT the same! I really want to be that rebel spy!

I love Muppetvision so much! I finally remembered to look for the key last trip.

Yay! I was so glad I finally remembered. I saw it on Dawn and Caitlin's TR and KNEW I had to find it!

I have still never eaten at Mama Melrose. It was on the list for this last trip but got ousted by Via Napoli. I'm not sorry, but I do want to get there some day. It looks delicious! Well, Denny's does for sure! Too bad yours was just ok.

Well, Via really is a lot better than Mama. In fact, it would be a good improvement if they could make Mama's menu more like Via's. My pasta really wasn't bad, it just didn't have that WOW factor. It was just OK.

Dear sweet baby J, I can't stomach ToT on the best of days let alone on a full tummy! Hahaha

I think I've ridden it twice now after dinner. It helps with the digestion. Well, maybe not.

You're too hard in yourself Mary Ellen, your photos are beautiful too! (Add to that we're Disers, we want pictures no matter what!)

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks Wendy. I like my photos until I see yours and DaveinFallsChurch. You guys take it to a whole new level.

Love the pictures! The salad looked tasty, not so sure about the pasta. I'm not a fan of the cream sauces, we've never been to Mama Melrose's. It seems worth a try.

Thanks!

The salad was really yummy. There were tons of pasta options so I'm sure you will find something that appeals to you. Denny's was pretty tasty, if you like cream sauces. I probably should have gone with a good old homemade marinara.

 

[MEK]

Great day at DHS! Star Tours, Muppets and ending with ToT is a pretty good day, although I've got to work in at least one ride on RnR or I don't feel like I had a complete day there!

I know what you mean about RnR, but I think the line was shorter for ToT so we picked that. Plus, the upside down after eating might have been a problem.

I've heard so many mixed reviews of Mama Melrose I haven't ever had it on my list to try, although Denny's dish does look really good. Usually if I'm going to do Italian at Disney I typically do it in Epcot at Tutto or Via Napoli.

Denny's was really tasty. Mine was OK. It just needed a little bit more flavor because the basic components were goo.

I love Via. I could definitely eat there EVERY trip. It's such a winner. The pizzas are always SO good! I love them. Plus they make a MEAN sangria!

I love your pictures of ToT! All those different beautiful light fixtures! I need to look up more next time I'm there in Januaray. This is why ToT is my favorite attraction. I could go through that queue a hundred times and still find find new little details. And thank you for the shoutout!

You're welcome for the shout out. No one photographs cob webs like you do. kidding - its just that those cob webs completely make the picture. I agree - there are so many fabulous details in that queue. It's probably my favorite queue. It's so creepy yet so fascinating.

We ate at Mama Melrose once a couple of years ago and thought it wasn't half bad. It may have also been because we had lowered our expectations a bit after reading other people's reviews. I did have the Chicken Campanelle and enjoyed it!

That chicken campanile was really tasty. I know what you mean about lowered expectations. Sometimes when you don't expect much you are pleasantly surprised. I did enjoy the ambiance in the restaurant. My pasta just needed a tan more flavor, so no major complaints.

I was so behind, but finally got caught up. I have been so depressed lately and I have been burying myself in other things to not think about Disney. I just need to go away somewhere warm soon or I think I might burst.

Oh Jen - You need a major It is always depressing when you can't plan a trip AND the weather sucks. I know what you mean about craving a nice warm spot. I hope you get to plan another trip soon.

It looks like such a fun trip and doing a few different things is always fun. I love Dave's pictures. I wonder how he gets such sharp, clear ones.

We really did have a fun trip in June. It felt somewhat spur of the moment with no major expectations. That made it fun.

Yup - Dave's pictures are amazing.

Fun update. Sorry the meal at Mama's wasn't better. I'm not a fan of theirs but how nice to remember your first family meal there

I do have such fond memories of our first family meal there. I remember the food as being really good and we had a great time eating and then heading over to F! That was back in the day when you didn't have to eat dinner at 4pm.

You must try the TuneIn Lounge and Dad's Electric Lemonade if you've never had it. It's among Dale and Caitlin's favorite Disney drinks

I absolutely have to get to the Tune In Lounge. I keep saying I am going there for the Lemonade and for some reason it never happens. I've got this though - definitely on my next visit. I finally made it to Beaches n Cream and I've been trying to get there for years.

 

[emmysmommy]

I'm finally getting caught up and you are almost ready to wrap this one up.

The view from the balloon was awesome. I love all the photos that you took so we know the perspective from that high up what is around. I didn't realize the Epcot resorts were so close. They seem so far away when you are on a Disney bus!

Congratulations on your VGF purchase. The few photos you did take make me completely want to give up my children's college funds and buy a ton of DVC points so I can live there for a month! What a great thing to look forward to!

I'm a photo creature of habit too. I've come to realize that recently... I just can't help having the same Carousel of Progress photos every trip and so on and so on.

Bummer about Mama Melroses. We haven't been there since 2010 so I can't say that I've missed it.

 

[natebenma]

I think you made the right choice about heading to Hollywood Studios.

Yay for Star Tours and Muppets! Thanks for sharing the detailed theming in the queues. I especially like the calendar with Miss Piggy. She could be a Porks Illustrated swim suit model for sure!

Sounds like your meal at Mama's was just "serviceable". We have been once, in 2009, with the F! package. Meal was ok for us, but we haven't been back. Too bad about your pasta. Based on the menu description, I would have considered ordering this. Based on your review... Not so much!

on Tower of Terror.

LOVE YOUR PHOTOS!

Thanks for posting the link to Dave's pictures. I don't follow his trip report. Yet. But I clicked on the link and I am totally blown away by his gorgeous shots!


I hope you will have a break from your brutal work schedule soon, but please, no worries about catching up. We know "You would rather be DISing", but we understand being slammed!

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