Ladies, are you EVER going to leave?? 10 days of Food & Wine fun! *NEW 1/29 PG 34*

[Circusgirl]

Wahooooo!! Yay, Christine! I can't wait to see you. I think the Wilderness Lodge will be very special and ultra Christmas-y. Have you eaten at Artist's Point yet? I had a lovely meal there a few trips back.

 

[jenjolt]

WOOT!!! What exciting news !! I'm so excited for you!! A well deserved vacation!!! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!! YAY!!!!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I know I said this when you first mentioned this trip but I'm super jealous!!!!

If it hadn't been for the fact that we just came back and are going again in January I assured I'd be there!!! Actually, if we weren't taking my sis and her family I would have replanned our January trip for December to hear Marty Sklar speak!

Your going to love WL!! It's my favorite resort! Granted it's very different then Yacht and Beach Club but sooooo nice! I get this wonderful, happy, relaxed feel just walking through the front doors into the beautiful lobby!!

I suggest you get a drink from the bar and spend a little time sitting by the fireplace!

I hope you have a big memory card in your camera because I expect tons of pictures of WL christmas and all the decorations in the parks

You're going to have such a great time!!!! I'm so glad you decided to stick with the trip!!

 

[praisehisname]

We'll be there at the same time! We arrive Thursday and stay until Monday evening. None of our days overlap, except for the TSM party. I'll just have to look for you there!

 

[princess&her4princes]

I missed a couple of days and you booked another trip! WOOHOO!!!! SO jealous, SO excited for you!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Hooray! You're going to have an amazing time!! I heard Marty speak a couple years ago and it was a fabulous experience. I can't wait to meet Lee Cockerell and have him sign my copy of his book!

I'm sure we'll run into each other that week as our plans look like they are overlapping a bit. I'm thinking about MVMCP on Friday evening after the seminar. And, the CP on Saturday with Vanessa Williams before walking over to DHS for DISapalooza is a must do on my list.

 

[Happydog]

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving, Christine!!!!

I can't wait to hear more about your Christmas Trip!!

 

[manntra]

I have heard through the grapevine that you have some Jamie Deen pictures! A very good lure indeed! I am now going back to the beginning!

Tracy

 

[All7OfUs]

Christine! Just popping over to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Hope you are having a great celebration!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

OMG Christine!!! What fantastic news!!!

You are the Disney Vacation Queen this year!!!

Thanks! I am definitely a lucky girl. I really hadn't planned on this but I'd be kicking myself if I missed the Marty Sklar opportunity! And I'll take any opportunity to see my DIS friends!!

Very exciting news! Can't wait to read all about your latest adventure!

Thanks. I'm super excited. Two weeks from yesterday!

Woo hoo for the December trip!!! I can't wait for you to go, Christine! I need some Christmas around WDW pics!!!

Oh, even if you can't get into the CP, you have to stand and listen to Andy Garcia for me!!! Love, love, love him!!!

Another AG fan. I may call back and see if anything has changed. I adore him.

WOO HOO!!



I am so excited for you!!

You are going to love Wilderness Lodge. You can request free turn down service, I totally forget to do that when we stayed but have heard good things about it.

Take the boat to MK. You have too. It's a LL rule.

I have been perusing the WL photo thread and it has definitely gotten me in the mood. Looks so beautiful especially with the holiday decorations!!

LL rule noted!

Are you serious??!! OMGoodness!!!! WOWSERS!!!! HOW EXCITING!!!!
I was all ready to send you a Christmas care package!!!! (Well I still will.... ) BUT YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to hear your plans... The spur of the moment trips are fun... HA! Having just done this in October myself!!!

Great news! Oh, and I LOVE Wilderness Lodge... what a great location for the holidays!!! YES, take LL's advice, the boat is a must!!! I seem to recall something about busses, though, going from WL to the Cabins or something like that... check on this, I could be wrong, but I think I read that some where....

WL has two nice restaurants! Artist's Point is lovely, I didn't like the salmon (too dry) but the rest of our meal was great. It is a pretty place. I LOVE WCC! Bottomless Milkshake and dessert that is gargantuan! I had some sort of carmel apple thing... very very good! AND I like BBQ, so it was just up my alley... The QS place is good, the resort "grocery" spot is really nice! They have two gift shop areas. I hear it is the best place for Christmas decorations...

So who are you going to meet and what are you going to see? Andy Garcia, yeah, I can see that being a great thing! I only wish you were not going SO soon, b/c of course a week later we get there!!!

Ah well, you can scope it all out for us!!!!

Aw. You don't have to send me anything! Artist Point. I want to like it. I do. But the menu doesn't seem to appeal to me.

Wahooooo!! Yay, Christine! I can't wait to see you. I think the Wilderness Lodge will be very special and ultra Christmas-y. Have you eaten at Artist's Point yet? I had a lovely meal there a few trips back.

I haven't eaten there. And want to try it. But the menu just doesn't thrill me. But if I don't eat there this time doubt I'd make another trip back. Maybe.

WOOT!!! What exciting news !! I'm so excited for you!! A well deserved vacation!!! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!! YAY!!!!

Thanks! I'm excited too!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I know I said this when you first mentioned this trip but I'm super jealous!!!!

If it hadn't been for the fact that we just came back and are going again in January I assured I'd be there!!! Actually, if we weren't taking my sis and her family I would have replanned our January trip for December to hear Marty Sklar speak!

Your going to love WL!! It's my favorite resort! Granted it's very different then Yacht and Beach Club but sooooo nice! I get this wonderful, happy, relaxed feel just walking through the front doors into the beautiful lobby!!

I suggest you get a drink from the bar and spend a little time sitting by the fireplace!

I hope you have a big memory card in your camera because I expect tons of pictures of WL christmas and all the decorations in the parks

You're going to have such a great time!!!! I'm so glad you decided to stick with the trip!!

I will bring plenty of memory cards. The pics I've seen online are AMAZING. The resort really does seem to say Christmas in a really special way. A drink and some fireplace time sound like

We'll be there at the same time! We arrive Thursday and stay until Monday evening. None of our days overlap, except for the TSM party. I'll just have to look for you there!

We will?! Oh I hope we can meet up. You'll be at the TSM party too?

I missed a couple of days and you booked another trip! WOOHOO!!!! SO jealous, SO excited for you!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear more!!

Thanks! I'm pretty excited too. Although it's not quite real yet.

Hooray! You're going to have an amazing time!! I heard Marty speak a couple years ago and it was a fabulous experience. I can't wait to meet Lee Cockerell and have him sign my copy of his book!

I'm sure we'll run into each other that week as our plans look like they are overlapping a bit. I'm thinking about MVMCP on Friday evening after the seminar. And, the CP on Saturday with Vanessa Williams before walking over to DHS for DISapalooza is a must do on my list.

Can't wait to see you again!! I am looking forward to hearing Lee Cockerell speak too. I just bought his book and will hopefully read it before the trip!

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving, Christine!!!!

I can't wait to hear more about your Christmas Trip!!

Thanks! Happy turkey day to you too!!

I have heard through the grapevine that you have some Jamie Deen pictures! A very good lure indeed! I am now going back to the beginning!

Tracy

Hi Tracy - welcome! I do have a "few" Jamie Deen pictures. Hope you enjoy!!

Christine! Just popping over to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Hope you are having a great celebration!!

Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Do you ever have a day/event in your trip that was so fun and special that you hesitate to write about it b/c you’re not sure you could do it justice??? That was this day.

I’ve lost track of what day of the week this was. This is indicative of how it was during the entire trip. For a change, I was really able to relax and enjoy vacation! Although I’m not sure what day of the week it was, I do know that this was Paula’s (Iluvcrush) arrival day!!

I think Paula and Jen spent the day at DHS. I spent it at the pool. I am a true sun worshipper and truly, is anything better than Stormalong Bay??

So this update will be light on pictures. It was me, my magazines, my book and it is possible that a mango margarita made an appearance.

It was one of those “so hot” days that you could hardly stay out of the water. I loved every minute of it.

Inevitably I got hungry and had heard that the burgers at Hurricane Hanna’s were the same burgers as served at Beaches ‘n Cream.

It was SO good. Buttered roll. Crispy fries. YUM-O!!!

I take back my statement in the last update that I did laundry then b/c I think I did it this afternoon. Here are some pics from the view by the quiet pool.

Have I mentioned how much I ADORE Beach Club? Oh, I have? OK… carry on.

After a perfectly lovely, lazy day, it was time to walk over to DHS. We had a perfectly timed ADR just before park close and were hoping for some nearly empty park pics upon our exit. We had NO idea how lucky we were going to be!

When I arrived, I texted Jen and we agreed to meet at Brown Derby shortly. As it turns out we ended up running into each other in a gift shop. And I got to meet Miss Paula! It is SO very cool to meet the DIS’ers who you’ve been chatting with!

In this shop I found the item I had been coveting. The infamous mickey bar bag. I knew I had to have it. Since I’ve been home I’ve used it to carry my lunch to work and like having a little bit of Disney every day although sometimes I get a little embarrassed carrying it into my very corporate office. I had a small issue when checking out. The CM told me I couldn’t send it back to my resort- that I had missed the “cut off.” I explained that I didn’t need it delivered the next day and wasn’t leaving for more than a week so whenever it got there would be fine. She still insisted that there would be no sending back to the resort. I wanted to say, “don’t even try to mess with me , lady. I’m a DIS’er. I know what I’m talking about.” But instead I just asked her to check again. She talked to her manager and came back acknowledging that I was right. Victory!

So by then I think it was time for us to go over to the much beloved Hollywood Brown Derby and check in for our dinner. The place was hopping. We did check the guest book to see whose signature it was turned to but now I don’t remember who it was. I started to fret b/c I hadn’t specifically requested a booth but I needed have worried because we were quickly escorted to a lovely curved booth. I think it was CP in her TR who commented on how very Hollywood you feel sitting in these booths. That’s the feeling exactly. Despite theme park attire, park bags and enough camera equipment for a magazine shoot, that all disappears and I always feel like I’m in old Hollywood and a glamorous starlet.

cont'd in the next post

 

[2xcited2sleep]

It was really fun relaxing and catching up on Jen and Paula’s day. They’d gotten into a bit of mischief and there are HIGH-larious pictures to prove it. But you’ll have to check out their report to hear all about that. As we were chatting away, who should appear but Heather (circusgirl). I had posted earlier that we were dining here this evening and she decided to take a chance and see if she could catch us. This was her last night in WDW and she was looking for a special celebration. Her timing was perfect and I’m so glad that she joined us!
So of course this night was all about the food. I started things off with a cocktail. Shocking, I realize.

The Hollywood- I can’t find a description but it was yummy!

Sweet Corn Bisque - with Lump Blue Crab and a thyme emulsion $8. Delicious soup

Cobb Salad. No explanation necessary.

I’m honestly not sure what the other gals ordered but I do believe that we all enjoyed our meals thoroughly. It was a lovely, leisurely, perfectly served dinner. The restaurant was definitely thinning out. People were finishing their dinners and of course no new parties were being seated since the park had closed not all that long after our ADR time.

At some point we noticed a uniformed security guard come into the restaurant and survey the dining room. It didn’t occur to me what he was doing but someone at the table was smart enough to figure out that he was taking a headcount of how many people were left in the restaurant/park. Is it that late already?? But we haven’t even had dessert yet!

When we were first seated our waiter (who was great) had told me that the grapefruit cake recipe had been changed. New chef wanted to put his spin on it. But I was game so that is what I got for dessert. Here again not entirely sure what the other ladies got but am sure it was delish.

Our waiter was very sweet and when he came out with our desserts, my cake had a candle in it. He explained that our reservation noted a birthday and that he’d seen me opening a gift earlier. Paula had been sweet enough to bring me my Halloween costume which was AWESOME as well as her favorite Disney movie on DVD, Mulan, to start my Disney movie collection.
We explained it was Jen’s birthday and transferred the candle to her dessert for her to make a wish.

As we were eating another security guard came into the restaurant and counted heads. Not too many of us left. We truly weren’t consciously dragging it out. It was just the pace of our lovely meal. At some point on one of the security visits they asked if we were going to require WDW transportation home. We assured them we would not. I was impressed, however, at the level of detail – they think of everything!

Before too long we were literally the last people in the restaurant. I think security may have made another visit.

Here’s our happy group (ignore my crazy expression):

As we exited the restaurant I noticed that the guest book was no longer in its case. They explained that they lock it up at night. Interesting. When we left the restaurant, the two security guards who had been checking on us and wondering if we were EVER going to leave, I’m sure, were waiting outside. I have to admit I felt a little uncomfortable. I’m a big rule follower and hate the idea of imposing on anyone. I was worried that we were keeping them all at work. They couldn’t have been nicer!

They said there were still a few families at Sci Fi (based on our lunch there a few days ago I don’t doubt it! ) I may be imagining it but I think they told us to take our time and enjoy the walk out.

I cannot begin to tell you how cool it was to be the only pe
ople other than CM’s on the street! I tried to get the best pics I could with my point and shoot but have seen what the other gals captured and you MUST go look at their pics when they get to chronicling this day!

At the end of the street we encountered more CMs who I’m sure were watching our very SLOW walk down the street wondering if we were EVER going to stop taking pictures and exit through the gates.

But here again they couldn’t have been nicer. One was asking about our evening and shared our love of Brown Derby. Another insisted that we have photographic evidence of being among the last people in the park. Jen has some GREAT shots of all of us that I’m hoping she’ll share. We all decided that her photo came out so well that none of the rest of us would even try to capture it.

It was definitely one of the more magical experiences I’ve had at WDW. We were literally the only people on the street!

They asked again if we needed transport back to our hotels. I saw another couple walking down the walkway over to the Boardwalk area and decided I’d walk off dinner. The other gals, I think have a story about getting back to Jen’s car.

cont'd in the next post

 

[2xcited2sleep]

It was a beautiful walk and while I felt a bit nervous when I stopped to overanalyze it, it was a very well lighted path and I never felt unsafe.

As I was heading back to my room I made note of the painting in the hallway. I love this!

Another happy Beach Club Disney day! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!!

Speaking of which…

Up next: the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth

 

[wigdoutdismom]

What a lovely day!
There is nothing better than spending the day at lounging by the Beach Club water....
Well unless you are able to top it off with good company at the Hollywood Brown Derby...
Oh wait, you did that!

Again what a lovely day!

I wish I could crawl into my computer screen and have some Cobb Salad!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oh C! I'm all warm and fuzzy just thinking about your dinner. I have to admit though that being a rule follower I had been secretly freaking out when you all talked about security guards and such. I think I would have been freaking on the inside.

The picture of the four of you is just wonderful, you all look so happy.

 

[kschafer]

One emotion:

SIGH

 

[MeMom]

I wanted to say, “don’t even try to mess with me , lady. I’m a DIS’er. I know what I’m talking about.” But instead I just asked her to check again. She talked to her manager and came back acknowledging that I was right. Victory!

Awesome pictures. Beach Club is such a pretty place.

I'm glad you didn't go off on the lady, but rather represented the DIS with grace and dignity.

Good job on the empty street pictures!
I'm so glad the cast members were so nice.

 

[jenjolt]

Awwwww.... That picture of us is so awesome!!! I just loved our evening it was Disney magic and was simply perfect!!!! I can't wait to have our reunion dinner next fall and once again be the last ones out LOL!!!

 

[praisehisname]

What a perfect day. Relaxing at the Beach Club, dinner with great friends, empty park pics at night...sigh... The picture with all four of you at HBD turned out great!