It WAS cold this morning! I got up early and went out to take pictures of this beautiful resort, met Bob for a quick breakfast of coffee and beignets and headed to the bus stop. I wanted to be at Epcot early that morning so I went alone. It is my favorite park, hands down, and I love to be there just to look around. The wait for the bus was short and soon I found myself on Spaceship Earth. I personally like the changes to this attraction, even the cheesy ending.
I took lots of photos, watched the fountain and went into the World Showcase about 9:30. I was approached by a young lady and gentleman dressed in white satiny stuff and realized, after the fact, that they were members of the Dream Team. I was directed to the archway at Le Cellier and presented (along with others who were gathered) with a Dream Lanyard and two pins. This was a nice little beginning to my day! I walked around a little more, taking pictures and just enjoying the holiday atmosphere. Also had a few PhotoPass pictures done. CHEESE!
I decided to go back to POFQ and warm up a little. Once again we opted for the food court for a quick lunch: we split a beef taco salad and a beer and were both full. I decided I wanted to take the boat to DD and do some window shopping. I asked Bob if he thought he could find Raglan Road on his own if I decided to stay there a while. He wasnt too sure, so we got out my PassPorter and I showed him exactly where it was located and described how to get there by bus. He thought it would be pretty easy to do it that way and we agreed to meet up about 7:00 for our 8:00 reservation.
I had about a 15 minute wait for the next boat and was very glad I had dressed in layers. It was still cold! Eventually our boat arrived and we were off. It was enjoyable to see the progress on the Tree House Villas and to hear more about them from our knowledgeable skipper. I arrived at DD safe and sound and started shopping, something I hardly ever get to do when the rest of my family is there with me. I love to look around, pick things up, smell them, ponder the possibilities
they subscribe to the GrabPayRun shopping method.
I was also enjoying taking photos of the Christmas Tree and Santa with all the little ones.
I stopped in the Ghirardelli shop and had a sample of their milk chocolate peppermint bark. YUMMY! Unfortunately they were sold out. I wondered if they hadnt been handing it out if there would have been some to buy
I was assured that they would get another shipment in the next day so I promised myself I would be back to pick up a small bag of it to put under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning.
After walking through World of Disney and the Christmas Store and the Home Store and Basin I decided to go on over to see what was happening beyond the
Lego store. I had not seen T-Rex so I took some pictures of that enormous building and continued walking along. Soon I found myself at Pleasure Island. Wow, has it changed. There is hardly anything open there anymore. It is so very sad.
Disney had better come up with something incredible to replace the clubs that were there! I also ran smack dab into Raglan Road and realized I was getting hungry. Since it was not quite 6:00 I called Bob and asked if he wanted to come on over a little early for dinner. There was no one around so I doubted we would have any trouble getting an earlier seating. Truth be told, I was also getting very cold!
I found a sheltered area near the bus stop and waited a short time before Bob arrived and we were seated in a lovely little room at Raglan road. We were in front of a little fireplace in two wing back chairs flanking a round oak table. I loved it! We decided to share a Draft Flight and an Appetizer Platter while we made our decisions about food and further drink. The appetizer platter was HUGE and they were out of quite a few of the beers. Our server noted that it was because of the changeover to the new beer company. We found it to be another sad state of affairs at WDW. Everything that used to be so unique at restaurants and lounges is becoming predictable. There are few surprises so when you get one it is wonderful. Our appetizers were a wonderful surprise. We had scallops, little fried sausages and little ribs. There was a lot of food there. So we decided to split one more beer and also an order of their Fish & Chips. Our server recommended a Blacksmith (Smithwicks and Guiness). Both were wonderful. And we were both too full for dessert which made me sad. I wanted to try their Bread Pudding. Next time!
We left the pub and headed over to the very close bus stop area. It was even colder now and I noticed Bob had worn just a long-sleeved dress shirt and his lightweight black fleece jacket. (This is important.) We were waiting and talking to others at the stop when we noticed that no new buses had come in a while. After a little investigative snooping Bob discovered that two buses had been involved in a small altercation and were completely blocking the road. A CM came up and offered two solutions: we could either walk over to the Marketplace and take a boat to POFQ or we could walk over to the West End where there might be buses to grab due to the accident. We took door #2. Not the right one
we got over there and not one bus to be found. So brilliant me decides we can grab a boat there! I forgot that it would take us all the way back to the Marketplace and we would have to change boats. By now Bobs teeth were chattering, his nose was blue and so was the language coming out of his mouth.
We eventually made it back to the room but not before World Peace was set back by a decade or two
Tomorrow is AK! And a little warmer temperatures we have been told.
