IT WAS LEGEND..(wait for it)..DARY!!!

[Phedre]

Just saying hi cuz I'm enjoying your report

 

[MeLaNie9]

Welcome Phedre...I am actually done with Kay's pics and ready for an update!

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Just found your trip report. Sounds like you are having an adventure so far. Cant wait to hear more.

 

[MeLaNie9]

So, we checked in at the podium for our LeCellier dinner. We waited outside and enjoyed the flowers in the gardens. We were called pretty quickly. Ralphie and I parked the strollers (we brought our 2 lightweight Graco Mosaics from home) and took a moment to check out the sky. We both were a bit suspicious of upcoming rain so decided to pull out the stroller rain covers and put them on. (Always having the stroller covers with us is one of my "always-do's" in WDW) Other people waiting were giving us funny looks, but we would be very happy with this decision
My first impression of this restaurant was that I didn't really like the decor. I guess it's supposed to look like, well, a cellar? And that's exactly what it was like - sort of cold and dank.

Again, a chef came out to speak to us about Bear's allergies and promised to make him a special meal of our choosing.

Dee had the beefsteak tomato stack and the squash ravioli. While she said that she liked this, later she said it really didn't "agree with" her. She elaborated with TMI but I will spare ya'll!

Kay had the shrimp cocktail appetizer which she said was too spicy.
I had the famous cheese soup which was ok, but a bit thick. Both Kay and I sucked down those pretzel bread sticks! They are delicious.

As far as entree - I was a bit disappointed with the choices. You see, I don't really like steak (yeah, I know - no steak, no chocolate - what is wrong with this girl???) but I wasn't thrilled with the seafood choices. Kay and I both ended up with the filet and cream cheese mashed potatoes and let me just tell you...HEAVENLY! This is the best steak I have ever had. Kay (who is a steak eater) agreed. She and I were just raving throughout this meal from the breadsticks to these delicious steaks. YUM

For some reason, Nemo decided to veer away from his standby of mac-n-cheese and chose the beef noodle spaghetti cheesy thingy. We should have insisted he not go out on a limb because, you guessed it, he ate none of it. And of course, we couldn't give it to Bear because of the cheese on it

Then there's Ralphie and Bear... Bear decided to have a major breakdown throughout dinner. He basically didn't eat and cried and screamed. Ralphie offered to take him out into the hallway while I ate, but the hallway was absolutely packed because it was... POURING rain outside!
Once I was done and took his place holding Bear, Ralph ate his mushroom filet which was cold by then (sorry Ralphie ) and he said the sauce was way too strong.

I did enjoy chocolate mousse #2 at LeCellier where the mousse is actually moose-shaped. This was so cute and really delicious covered with little chocolatec crumbs and with cookie antlers. (Overall chocolate mousse rankings will be done at the close of the TR )
This meal was the food highlight of the trip for Kay and I - we just loved it. Not so much for Dee and Ralphie, but I think we will try to book this one again!

So we emerged from the cellar to the pouring rain. And it was REALLY pouring. Thank God we had covered the strollers. The adults all donned our Wal-Mart ponchos, we got the kiddos into the dry strollers and recovered them, and we all headed towards the American Adventure for our 1st CP.

The lines weren't too long and luckily we found covered seats. The rain let up before we sat down, but our seats were nice and dry. The night's narrator was John O'Hurley whom Dee only knew from Dancing with the Stars, but he will always be J. Peterman to me! He should have worn the urban sombrero!We were so impressed with this show. It was truly wonderful - the music, singing, and story. Nemo didn't like the loud trumpets but enjoyed watching the orchestra especially the percussionists who were right in front of us. We were at the 8:15 show and both boys ended up falling asleep in the middle.

Kay and Nemo waiting for the show

Bear waiting for the show - check out his Mickey ears!

The chorus

When the show ended, we piled the sleeping kiddos into the strollers and decided to stay for Illuminations:

Check out this little guy inside the light

Then we headed to the bus stops. I don't remember this from prior visits, but the entire pathway from Epcot to the bus stops narrowed down to one gate that had to be opened through which only 2 people could pass side by side. Needless to say, this caused a huge bottleneck of people and it took forever to get to the bus stops. We caught our CSR bus (we never really waited long for any bus this trip) and FINALLY made it to stop 1 (after the long usual course of stops 2-3-4-1). By the time we made it to the room it was really late and we had an early morning date with Pooh and Friends!

 

[MeLaNie9]

I had trouble posting this pic from the CP and wanted to try again:

The loud trumpeteers

I also wanted to add a little bit about CSR...

On this second day in the room, it was thankfully much cleaner, however we really needed more space. Since we were using the connecting door between our room and Dee and Kay's room, we couldn't put anything in front of it.
We had our luggage, 2 strollers, the table and chairs (which we do use to eat our breakfasts so had to position so that we could actually sit at it), and Bear's pack-n-play.
Ralphie always puts his and the boys' clothes into the drawers in a hotel. I am a "live out of my bag" kind of girl, so I had my bags jammed next to and under the sink. (I am always afraid that something of mine will fall out of the back of one of the drawers and be lost forever in that dusty, cobwebby place of no return - our room did indeed have some such long-lost victims behind the armoire).
We ended up having to put the pack-n-play right next to the big outside window - a place that I wasn't thrilled with. I had nightmares about someone breaking right through the window and grabbing Bear! Ok - not likely, but not pleasant dreams!

Up next: Bear's 1st character experience, puffed french toast, AND will I conquer my Splash Mountain fear????

 

[disneyfanforlife]

Very cute pics.

 

[Cory's Gal]

I am really enjoying your TR! Your boys are adorable!! It's always smart to cover strollers if it looks like it may rain, we always do too!!!

 

[k_reile]

I love how I met your mother (am soo missing it with the writers strike---can't wait til the new episodes start!) and I also love Le Celliar! DH had the shrimp which he liked and I had the cheddar cheese soup---good but you can't eat too much of it or it would be too much! We LOVED the pretzel bread!! We couldn;t get enough of it. We both had the herb crusted prime rib(which I never eat) only I had it with the mashed potatoes instead which were the best thing that I have ever eaten! I don;t think we were impressed with dessert or either that we were way too full!! It was definitely the best meal that we had while we were at WDW! I have to live throuhg everyones trip reports since I myself will not be going for a while! Now that baby is on the way, I've got time to take baby when he or she is still young like your kids...I want to see their expression when they meet the characters!

 

[Lauralee131]

Oooh! I looove John O'Hurley! He must've been a great narrator! I love the CP and look forward to getting back to WDW for the holidays again sometime soon. Your pictures came out really good!

 

[MeLaNie9]

Very cute pics.

Thanks -all of these are actually mine. I found that Kay took mostly scenery shots/animal shots in AK so those will be coming later.

I am really enjoying your TR! Your boys are adorable!! It's always smart to cover strollers if it looks like it may rain, we always do too!!!

Cory's Gal - thanks so much! I've learned to always have those covers with you in WDW, no matter what the weather report says.
Looks like you have a little one on the way...34 weeks - you're in the home stretch! Congrats!

I love how I met your mother (am soo missing it with the writers strike---can't wait til the new episodes start!) and I also love Le Celliar! DH had the shrimp which he liked and I had the cheddar cheese soup---good but you can't eat too much of it or it would be too much! We LOVED the pretzel bread!! We couldn;t get enough of it. We both had the herb crusted prime rib(which I never eat) only I had it with the mashed potatoes instead which were the best thing that I have ever eaten! I don;t think we were impressed with dessert or either that we were way too full!! It was definitely the best meal that we had while we were at WDW! I have to live throuhg everyones trip reports since I myself will not be going for a while! Now that baby is on the way, I've got time to take baby when he or she is still young like your kids...I want to see their expression when they meet the characters!

We ate so many pretzel bread sticks - I think we asked for 2 refills! Congrats on the baby! We took Nemo for the 1st time when he was 22 months and it turned out to be a great time. It wasn't too bad with Bear being just 1, but he really needs to be able to stay on his schedule or he has breakdowns like at LeCellier. He loved the characters! So you don't have to wait TOO long if you don't want to!
We love your doggy's shirt and college loyalties! DH went to OSU and is a huge Buckeyes fan.

Oooh! I looove John O'Hurley! He must've been a great narrator! I love the CP and look forward to getting back to WDW for the holidays again sometime soon. Your pictures came out really good!

LL - love your vanity plate!!!!
John O'Hurley was excellent. He has a very good voice for such a thing. He was quite serious, while Neil Patrick Harris did some joking around before he started which was fun too. We're really glad we got to experience both!

 

[heaven2dc]

Enjoying your report so far! But I have a question - I'm going to appear really stupid but I'm terrible with abbreviations! What was the restaurant you ate at on your first day? Also what was CP?

I usually just figure it out on the Boards but these two stumped me

 

[MeLaNie9]

Hi heaven2dc! We ate at Hollywood & Vine on our first day (in MGM/Hollywood Studios). CP is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot although that abbreviation is used for the Crystal Palace restaurant where we have breakfast the next day of our trip (with Pooh and friends).

 

[snowbell]

I am all caught up I am really enjoying your trip report. Your kids are too cute...

 

[JKMJ441724]

I kept thinking he would chicken out but he didn't. He rode with me on one side and Kay on the other, both of us holding a hand....and as soon as we "landed", he turned to me and said, "That was awesome Mommy!"

Melanie9, I just found your report. I'm loving it! I can't wait to hear my kiddos say that to me. We are measuring every month to see if they each grow the 1 1/2 inches needed to reach the next level of rides. With her magic growing shoes, I think our girl will be able to ride EE. Our boy should be able to ride Test Track.

I am ready to hear those magic words - "welcome home!"

The trading pins is a great idea. I think we will try it on our next trip. Can't wait to read more.

 

[MeLaNie9]

Melanie9, I just found your report. I'm loving it! I can't wait to hear my kiddos say that to me. We are measuring every month to see if they each grow the 1 1/2 inches needed to reach the next level of rides. With her magic growing shoes, I think our girl will be able to ride EE. Our boy should be able to ride Test Track.

I am ready to hear those magic words - "welcome home!"

The trading pins is a great idea. I think we will try it on our next trip. Can't wait to read more.

Hi JKMJ441724!!!
I am just about to get into the pin scavenger hunt deal...
Our problem is that Nemo is so tall for his age and a bit of a chicken. He could have gone on BTMRR as well, but he thought that one was too fast. I'm already working on him for the next trip!!! I don't know if he will ever get on EE - he knows there is a "monster" and is not interested at all

 

[MeLaNie9]

So, here we are, about to begin only our 2nd full day in WDW and the in-law issues start....

First of all, apparently Dee and Kay are not early risers. In fact, they are pretty much horrible morning people (Kay worse than Dee). Now, Ralphie and I love to sleep in as much as the next guy, but that just hasn't happened for oh ... about 3 years. Both of our boys are early risers and I usually have to be up really early for work so we are used to it and we start off early when in WDW.
This morning (Wed Nov 28th), we had 8:05 CP ADRs. We were up and ready but the in-laws were struggling. We had explained to them that we had plans to be up and out early each day, I guess they didn't listen or didn't believe us???

Second, Kay has a little dog that she had to put into a kennel. This kennel was like the Ritz for dogs - his room had a tv, toys, a little dog bed, and a web cam. Apparently Kay (who had brought her laptop solely to check on the dog each night) had looked in on him late the night before and was unhappy with something about his situation and had to call the kennel that morning to complain. I think this started her downward spiral into grumpy-hood that would last the entire trip!

Third, the pin scavenger hunt. Now, prior to our pin draft, Ralphie had gone to a huge amount of trouble to come up with lists of characters/topics of pins for each of us to collect for the scavenger hunt. Dee kept asking if she could just collect Christmas pins. He had made sure that she had "Christmas pin" on her list and told her that she could collect Christmas pins for her other pins (like if her list said "Pluto pin", she could get a Pluto Christmas pin). She totally agreed to doing this. None of us had gotten into the pin hunt on our 1st day so we all got our lanyards and trading pins and took them with us (all except crankypants Kay). However, very quickly into this 2nd day, Dee just abandoned the whole plan and was searching only for Christmas or holiday pins!

Despite the complaints of the in-laws, we did make it to MK in time for our ADR. This was our first glimpse of the castle this trip and Kay and Dee's first look ever!
It was awesome to be in the park with so few guests around.

Ralphie, Kay, Dee and the boys on our way to CP

We did have a bit of a wait to be seated - I think because CP was just opening and they were busy seating lots of groups.

Bear with Grandma Dee waiting to eat breakfast

Finally inside!

When we were seated, we asked for the chef to discuss Bear's meal. This was the only place where the chef was less than prompt. We waited and waited and waited for him. Finally, I told the rest of my crew to just get food and start eating. Not a great idea given Bear was continuously ravenous during this trip, so when the others sat back down with food and he had none, he was not happy
When the chef finally emerged from the kitchen, I noticed that he had to stop at quite a few tables. Lots of food allergies out there huh?
I ordered Bear some allergen-free waffles and headed to the buffet to get him some fruit and me some grub. Okay, another thing I am not too fond of...breakfast foods. I would rather eat typical lunch/dinner fare in the morning.
Yes, I know I am a really picky eater! I have always been that way such that my mom would always say, "I hope that you have a child just like you some day so you know what it is like!" This isn't totally fair from her because her mom used to make her special meals when they had things she didn't like when she was a kid! She never did this for me! I would always be stuck sitting at the table long after a meal with my dad telling me that I couldn't get up until I finished everything (the biggest offender was green beans - ugh! I hate them). He and I are both stubborn so I would sit there for long times. He always ended up the winner though!
Well, Nemo is getting there - so yes, now I know what it is like!

However, what did I find that fateful morning at CP??? Once it was in my mouth the heavens trumpted and angels sang!!!!

PUFFED FRENCH TOAST

OMG - I am not sure how much of this I ate, but it was a lot. I also liked the cheesy breakfast potatoes. Kay was also raving about the puffed french toast but did not like the breakfast lasagna at all (I have read some good reviews about this dish). Both she and Ralphie thought it was terrible

This was Bear's first character experience and he LOVED it!

They characters did a little parade with the kids - they marched all around the restaurant. Nemo loves to pretend he's in a parade and so this was right up his alley!
Kay thought this whole experience was hilarious - all these parents trying to get their kids to eat a meal but then having them stop multiple times to get up and parade around or pose with a character! I guess she does have a point, but that's just the way of the WDW character meal!

After the breakfast, we headed out to Adventureland for one of Nemo's favorites - the Magic Carpets. Aladdin and Jasmine were riding with the group ahead of us! We hit the Tiki Room and then headed to the Jungle Cruise. After some discussion, it was clear that no one wanted to go through the Swiss Family Treehouse but I love this (I love the movie too) so everyone else did the Jungle Cruise while I climbed the tree. I then got FPs for both Splash Mountain and BTMRR and met back up with the group.

We rode POTC next. Every single one of these rides had no wait or a minimal wait. I think the longest wait that morning was for the Jungle Cruise which was only 10min! We had the mojo going!!!
But...our breeze through these attractions came to a screeching halt at the end of POTC...at the jail scene to be exact...The ride came to a stop and we were stuck there "Yo ho, yo ho...." over and over and over and over We were stuck for at least 15-20min and the boats were stacked up way way back!
When we were finally released from pirate hell, we made our way to Frontierland and MY first big bravery test!

 

[Dizneyholic]

I got a late start but I'm now caught up! Good stuff! I so love WDW during the holidays!!! I did a trip report around this time last year for our Dec '06 trip! I can't wait to go again!!

I also the filet and cream cheese mash potatoes at Le Cellier!! It's my favorite!!

BTW, I could never imagine taking my in-laws to WDW. Afterall, it is MY happy place!!!

 

[MeLaNie9]

Continued...

So I mentioned that I am a ride wimp right? Well, I was determined to ride some things I had never been on before this trip and Splash Mountain was one of these.
Just a side note about Kay. She is a thrill ride lover. We all went to Cedar Point last summer and she wanted to ride Top Thrill Dragster. If you don't know what this is - I am sure you can find some video on YouTube. I was sick to my stomach just watching others go on this ride! You could not pay me any amount of money to go on this. Seriously.
Well, Kay refused Splash Mountain. She said that she doesn't like to get wet on rides. Well, I could buy that, but this pattern will continue. You'll see!

Ralphie, Dee, and I cashed in our FP's and quickly were in a very wet log. I have to admit that I was nervous. The thing I dislike the most is a long straight drop. I can do a drop with curves but straight down does things to my belly that I do not like! And, why was the log so darn wet? It was literally soaked! Well, we quickly found out. Ralphie was in the front with Dee and I behind him. As we floated around the top of the mountain at the start of the ride and looped around the big drop, another log plummeted down and the water cannons went off and shot water....right onto us. WTH? Aren't you supposed to get wet on the drop? We were utterly soaked already! The ride was good - this is really a neat one. We had watched (bootleg) Song of the South before the trip and really enjoyed all of the scenes. I didn't quite expect the multiple drops in this ride - especially the one in the dark. As we crested over that last hill with the vultures laughing at us...I grabbed the bar in front of me with a death grip, braced myself with my legs such that I was almost standing up, and squinched my eyes as tightly shut as possible and...my stomach didn't like it!!! It actually felt like I was falling forever. Maybe because of my eyes being closed? Our ride photo was hilarious because Dee and I looked exactly the same - both petrified - and Ralphie was ducking down with an evil grin on his face because he thought we would get even wetter that way. We were rewarded with the last scene of the characters on the paddleboat and Dee and I could not stop laughing about how we had both missed the whole thing because we had our eyes shut!
But... I did it!!! Will I do it again??? I don't know about this one, that drop was not too good for me We'll see next year!

Then it was on to BTMRR. I love this ride. Only Ralphie and I wanted to go on this one (Dee was recovering and Kay was well, refusing to ride rides) so we gleefully left the kids with them and rode it twice in quick succession. We also had the Hidden Mickeys guide and were looking for them on this ride. You can't miss the one made of the gears at the end, huh?

We looped back through Adventureland to try our first Dole Whips! Ooooo - these are delicious. We got a couple floats and a couple whips and enjoyed. I didn't even check if these were milk and egg free for Bear. I know - bad mommy! I have since heard that they are milk free, but I don't know about egg. We didn't eat in front of him though, one of us sat with him with the others ate and he actually fell asleep. After the whips, we wandered through Liberty Square and Dee spent a long time in Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe.

Sleigh outside Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

Because Bear was sleeping, and because I wanted to stay awake (HA HA ) I sat outside with him while everyone else went into the Hall of Presidents.

While sitting there I saw the brother of a guy from my high school class and a guy I did my residency with! I haven't seen either of them for years and years! It's a small world after all!

When they finally emerged from their comas - I mean the show - we all headed to the HM. I love the HM. Nemo is not too fond of this one. The first time we took him to WDW, we rode this and I had forgotten about the heads that pop up in the graveyard scene so didn't warn him. Yeah - he was pretty much done with the HM then and there. Well, he actually rode it, with Kay and Dee, but I am not sure how much he saw. I really liked the changes in this ride, but I agree with some other DISers that it is scarier now. Not as much the corny-scary it used to be.

We headed to IASW - another Nemo fave and rode a few times. Never a long line for this one
We skipped the rest of Fantasyland as we were planning to hit it during morning EMH the next day and detoured into ToonTown. Nemo likes "Goofy's Plane" and wanted to ride with Kay who, you guessed it, refused! His next choice was Dee and they headed off for their very short flight!

There they are - 4th car back

Next, on to the teacups which Dee really wanted to ride.

Dee, Nemo, and I got our spin on then we headed to the raceway. On our last visit this attraction was closed and the time before that I was pregnant and didn't ride for fear of bumping so Ralphie and Nemo had ridden. So this time, Nemo and I rode together. He tried to steer while I worked the pedal. Those pedals are stiff! My leg was aching by the end. The steering isn't easy either and Nemo was quickly frustrated. And, we did get bumped a ton by the pre-teens behind us.

Maybe he can't steer because he can't see where we're going!!!:

We took a quick walk through Tomorrowland and hopped on the People Mover (I just can't get myself to call it the TTA). I needed to check out one of my next hurdles - Space Mountain....plus I love the People Mover. My mom and I spent a lot of time on it while my dad and brothers rode Space Mtn.

Bear and I on the People Mover. You can see Dee's head in the next car.

We were pretty much done with our whirlwind tour of the MK and were ready for the MK's nighttime offerings!

 

[Dizneyholic]

I freakin' love the Dole Whip float!! A must have every trip to WDW or Disneyland!! Yummmmm!! Darn, now I want one...

 

[MeLaNie9]

I got a late start but I'm now caught up! Good stuff! I so love WDW during the holidays!!! I did a trip report around this time last year for our Dec '06 trip! I can't wait to go again!!

I also the filet and cream cheese mash potatoes at Le Cellier!! It's my favorite!!

BTW, I could never imagine taking my in-laws to WDW. Afterall, it is MY happy place!!!

I freakin' love the Dole Whip float!! A must have every trip to WDW or Disneyland!! Yummmmm!! Darn, now I want one...

Welcome Dizneyholic...yeah, the in-laws can bring you down!!! And, its downhill from here...
Dole Whips have become a must-eat for us (same with that LeCellier filet and cream cheese mashed potatoes)!!!