"It's Time for the MONORAIL PUB CRAWL!" April 2013 Trip Report**COMPLETE 7/14

[rachel09985]

After our tales with Belle experience I went to get fastpasses for Journey of the Little Mermaid.

While I was in line I witnessed the most horrible father ever.

His daughter probably about 11 was crying and he was telling his kids that they were the worst kids ever and that he has never seen people whine as much as kids. Really!? Is that necessary?

I believe we got fasptasses for 2:30 to 3:30 for Ariel. Since it was almost time for our princess meet and greet we headed that way and once again got stopped by the stage show. Emme just loves that show Dreams Come True so we had to watch it!























Such a cute show but I think I am ready for a new show at the castle. Speaking of new- I can NOT wait until the new parade at Magic Kingdom. So excited.

Patty and I stopped to get our pic and left Emme in the stroller.

Turned out cute!



There was literally no one in the fastpass line besides this group that was just standing there not really doing anything. We just went around them.

First princess was Cinderella!





I switched my sandals before my meet. They were hurting so I changed into my Olawehu Teva sandals.

I think this one turned out good.



Emme seemed a little shy with Sleeping Beauty.











Now time for Rapunzel, my favorite!



I told her I really liked her new house in Magic Kingdom! She was happy she has a home now!

Boy do I really think they missed out not making an area for her to meet at her bathrooms. They could have easily built something there.



Of course they drop you off in a princess merchandise room so Emme had to have a princess hat!

How adorable!!!



She has been wanting this hat for a while so her mommy finally gave in!

Not the most flattering picture of me but afterwards we took a picture with Goofy on the bench.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I love Emme's new hat! Cute!

My girls are too big for the princesses. I miss that!

How sad what that father was saying to his kids. That's really mean.

 

[KatMark]

Since I am going to Disney in two days and then have my son's wedding, I am rapidly going through all of my subscribed threads because it will be another 11 or 12 days before I can get back here.

So I've read all of the updates I missed, love the new Aurora dress, found Lady's eyes a little weird, Buzz was over by Mission Space, love your Illumination pictures and all the food and drink pics.

 

[marDgreen88]

Caught up! Oh my gosh! I think I was in the exact same building as yall at POR! THAT PLACE is so perfect ahhhhhh. Chef Mickey's sounds so good and so fun for breakfast!

Aww what a fun day so far! Emme is just so cute!

 

[rachel09985]

So now it was time to bust our butts to get to Journey of the Little Mermaid so we could ride that and then see the parade which was at 3pm.

I had the brilliant idea to walk to Storybook Circus because of that pathway that goes to New Fantasyland.

So we get there and it is BLOCKED OFF! NOOO! So we had to go all around the fence to go into the main entrance to new fantasyland, which took forever!

And speaking of new fantasyland, it was a disaster! It was so congested.

Our fastpasses got us right on the ride though.



While we were getting on I noticed a disney gift card on the ground that we rode right by. I so wanted to pick it up and see if there was still money on it but I couldn't reach it.



I so love that part in this ride when you dip backwards and get a rush of cool air.



















So we got out of the ride and rushed to find a spot for the parade! We had to maneuver through the masses though.



This is where we ended up:



We found a good spot right in front of the castle first row. We weren't on a ledge we just sat flat on the ground, which worked. Patty went to go get ice cream for Emme so I watched her.

Emme about had a melt down because I couldn't get her princess hat to light up. It almost was bad! Patty came back after forever with the ice cream. She said it was soooo crowded.

Then the parade started. I was so excited to photograph this.

I love all of the hidden mickeys on the first car, especially on the tires.









Up next: Celebrate a Dream Come True Pictures

 

[rachel09985]

Ok, this post will be mostly pictures of the parade. A great homage to Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade since it will be gone soon.









Love the string on his back.

























We laughed when we saw that they were tethered on.



Captain Hook and Smee! Emme kept saying Captain Hook was sneaky and that Smee had a happy face.



The Queen came up to Emme and scared her.



This was the same Mad Hatter as 1900 Park Fare









Continued in next post..

 

[rachel09985]

This is a funny picture.















And then the parade was over. Our spots weren't the best for pictures because we were so low on the ground. It was just hard to aim upwards and it wasn't the bet for angles for the characters. However, I loved that the characters came up to Emme and interacted with her. That was awesome!

And this is what happened when I got up.



LEG SWEAT! I was so sweaty and hot that my legs were sweaty!

After the parade we left because it was time for our tea at the Grand Floridian! This was at 4pm.









It was such a hot day that I was glad to cool off at the tea.

 

[rachel09985]

Great update!

Thank youu!

I love Emme's new hat! Cute!

My girls are too big for the princesses. I miss that!

How sad what that father was saying to his kids. That's really mean.

Aw you are never too old for the princesses! Once they get older maybe they will get back into them. I know I did!

Since I am going to Disney in two days and then have my son's wedding, I am rapidly going through all of my subscribed threads because it will be another 11 or 12 days before I can get back here.

So I've read all of the updates I missed, love the new Aurora dress, found Lady's eyes a little weird, Buzz was over by Mission Space, love your Illumination pictures and all the food and drink pics.

Have an amazing time in Disney AND at the wedding!! You will have such a wonderful time. I know you are excited!

Caught up! Oh my gosh! I think I was in the exact same building as yall at POR! THAT PLACE is so perfect ahhhhhh. Chef Mickey's sounds so good and so fun for breakfast!

Aww what a fun day so far! Emme is just so cute!

It is perfect. I loved it. I wanted to stay there again but we aren't. I can't wait for your TR! I have been anxiously awaiting and I kept checking your IG and Vine updates while you were on vaca. Loved the updates.

 

[KatMark]

I did a quick run through on the DIS before I head to bed to get up at 4:30 tomorrow and am so glad I did because I got to see your update.

Too bad you couldn't grab that gift card!

LOVE your parade pictures...I think you did great. I never noticed the hidden mickeys on the tires...I'll be watching for them if we see the parade this weekend.

 

[Nermel9]

I love the Little Mermaid ride! Too bad you couldn't get that gift card!

That parade looks so cute, and I've never seen it. I have to make it a point to see it on my next trip, even if I watch it alone, since it's going to be gone by next year.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Great parade pictures!! They aren't bad at all. I had to giggle at the tether thing too.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OMG I hate when that pathway is closed. Of course I have yet to actually see it open, but apparently it is now.

And WOW, that IS congested. Holy Smokes!

I really enjoyed seeing the mickeys on the tires. Never noticed that before. But then Disney thinks of everything. One of the benefits of a floor seat I guess.

Bahaha, leg sweat. Too funny!

 

[marDgreen88]

I can't wait for your TR! I have been anxiously awaiting and I kept checking your IG and Vine updates while you were on vaca. Loved the updates.

Aww thank you! I'm gonna try to start it tomorrow or Saturday!

I have good news! The path from Storybook Circus to New Fantasyland is no longer blocked off! At the beginning of my trip it was, but by the end it wasn't! I was so much more impressed then!

As much as I am excited to see a new parade at MK, I'll also really miss Celebrate A Dream Come True! I have an attachment to it. It's such a fun and happy parade! Your pictures are so great! (AS USUAL.)

 

[scottny]

I so agree about the Soarin’ screen.
I cannot wait for Monsters University too.
The food in the cs france place looked good.
Very nice Illumination pics.
Chef Mickey’s looked good.
I have seen grown men walking around MK and Epcot with no shirts on.
Everyone should get a pic with Belle. I think.
Nice parade pics.
All caught up.

 

[rachel09985]

I did a quick run through on the DIS before I head to bed to get up at 4:30 tomorrow and am so glad I did because I got to see your update.

Too bad you couldn't grab that gift card!

LOVE your parade pictures...I think you did great. I never noticed the hidden mickeys on the tires...I'll be watching for them if we see the parade this weekend.

Hope you're having fun on your trip!

I love the Little Mermaid ride! Too bad you couldn't get that gift card!

That parade looks so cute, and I've never seen it. I have to make it a point to see it on my next trip, even if I watch it alone, since it's going to be gone by next year.

Yes you do need to see it even if it is just for a part of it! I really enjoy the music for it.

Great parade pictures!! They aren't bad at all. I had to giggle at the tether thing too.

That is funny that they are tethered on. I think I did know that before but I totally forgot!

OMG I hate when that pathway is closed. Of course I have yet to actually see it open, but apparently it is now.

And WOW, that IS congested. Holy Smokes!

I really enjoyed seeing the mickeys on the tires. Never noticed that before. But then Disney thinks of everything. One of the benefits of a floor seat I guess.

Bahaha, leg sweat. Too funny!

Disney does think of everything! They are awesome! I need to work for them. That pathway was open when I went in January, I hope it is open in July too.

Aww thank you! I'm gonna try to start it tomorrow or Saturday!

I have good news! The path from Storybook Circus to New Fantasyland is no longer blocked off! At the beginning of my trip it was, but by the end it wasn't! I was so much more impressed then!

As much as I am excited to see a new parade at MK, I'll also really miss Celebrate A Dream Come True! I have an attachment to it. It's such a fun and happy parade! Your pictures are so great! (AS USUAL.)

Yeah for it being open!! I am happy because that willl save time. Especially with these July crowds, it is going to be horrible! I am nervous about these crowds.

I so agree about the Soarin’ screen.
I cannot wait for Monsters University too.
The food in the cs france place looked good.
Very nice Illumination pics.
Chef Mickey’s looked good.
I have seen grown men walking around MK and Epcot with no shirts on.
Everyone should get a pic with Belle. I think.
Nice parade pics.
All caught up.

Grown men with no shirts on!?? YIKES! One time I saw a little girl running around completely naked!! Speaking of France CS have you seen pics about the new france ice cream place? I am too excited for that!

 

[rachel09985]

We had a tea reservation at 4pm. We got to the Grand Floridian on time and looked around after we checked in.

We didn't get sat until like 35 minutes after our reservation, which was a bummer. I went up and checked and she said people were sitting there but not moving. I was kind of mad about that.

But, luckily we got sat at a very nice round top table. I am glad we got sat at a normal table and not those couch like tables with the small tables. We had a nice view out to the gardens.

It was very cold in the tea room! Also too cold. I wish I had a jacket or something. I didn't know if I originally wanted tea because I am not a huge tea lover, but with it being so cold it sealed the deal. I needed to warm up.

Our server was super nice. She saw us snapping away with our canons and then immediately chimed in and said she liked us already because we had Canons. She must have had a Canon DSLR too.





The bouquet in the middle was beautiful.












The sugar is the cubed sugar which melts so nicely in the tea.





I ordered the Grand Tea that came with the sparkling wine! See, Patty and I were on the monorail pub crawl and this was our first monorail stop! So the glass of sparkling wine was my drink for the Grand Floridian!

I also ordered tea. I wanted the princess breakfast tea but that had no caffeine in it and I needed a pick me up! So I ordered the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, comprised of medium-bodied Ceylon tea leaves is scented with the essential oils of natural fruits - passion fruit, pomegranate, and vanilla. I was worried about the passion fruit, because I am not a passion fruit fan but this was very good!



Ste. Michelle sparkling wine. Delicious bubbly! This was technically my first drink of our monorail pub crawl. We were at the GF first so our sparkling wine was the first stop.





Patty and her sparkling wine



Me with mine! This was my FB profile pic for a while lol!

 

[rachel09985]

Now time for the food!

This was a pretty pricey experience at $32 knowing it wouldn't even fill me up but we could use TIW so that helped.

With my grand tea came sandwiches. It also had pate on there. I wasn't too keen on that so I passed it off to Patty.



There was a pear/gorgonzola, cucumber, curried chicken, egg salad, and a salmon. My favorite was the pear/gorgonzola and the curried chicken salad. The egg salad was blah and the salmon was ok. The cucumber one was good though.

Our waitress was so knowledgeable about this experience and she really helped explain everything to me which helped because I am not a refined diner.

On this plate came the carmelized onion tart. Holy moly was this good. It was sweet yet savory at the same time. I thought the onions would be stringy and hard to eat but it was actually very jelly like. It was amazing.

The sandwiches are pretty tiny- note my hand for reference, so if you are expecting this to be a meal it might not fill you up 100%.



Tea finally got poured around our sandwich time.



Emme got her PB sandwiches because she was falling asleep fast and I happened to capture her gradual descent to sleepy mode. It was adorable and sad. She looked so tired.







She literally fell asleep while eating her sandwich. We wheeled her stroller in here so she could rest. It was a good nap environment.



Just look at those eyes!



Emme fell asleep and our next course came out! The scone with the lemon curd. I asked about the scone because it looked like it had raisins and I hate raisins but she said they were dried cranberries. The scone either came with strawberry preserves or lemon curd.

This plate came with devonshire cream which I have never had before. I guess you put that on your scone then the lemon curd. The cream was like a denser butter. It didn't really have a flavor. The lemon curd was ridiculous. !I guess it is one of the chef's family recipes. It is so good. I want a mason jar full of that stuff.



The strawberry tart wasn't that great as I am not a fan of chunky strawberry preserves.

Aww!



Our messy table! With two iphones, two DSLRs, 2 Vera Bradley backpacks, plus 1 child we had a lot of stuff!



The last course of this is dessert and a massive amount of dessert at that!

I ordered the strawberries and cream, which I have been dying to have since I started reading about this.



I love the GF in red sugar.



This was sooo good! the whipped cream was so fresh and rich and the strawberries were ripe and great tasting. This was soooo good.

Next our waitress comes around and since we were the last people in the restaurant and we had to wait she gave us two of everything on the dessert place. You are only supposed to have two. We got two of everything minus the carrot cake, because I don't like it.

This was incredible awesome had we not already booked the dessert party for tonight! Haha, we were going to have so many desserts! And Patty isn't even a dessert person. I am though!







I don't even remember everything on this but there was a lemon mousse swan, eclair, magic cookie bar, chocolate covered strawberries. I loved the lemon mousse swan and the strawberry. Everything else was good but too much!

All in all, the tea was excellent! So excellent that I will be booking it in March when I take my sister to Disney. Our server and the food were both awesome! It really was one of the highlights of my trip.

 

[wiigirl]

Awesome pics!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

The tea looks fun! I have a silly question though. Do they have lemonade or any other kind of drink? I just am not a fan of tea; any kind. It looks like a neat experience!