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

[2xcited2sleep]

After our mission we took the boat across the lagoon. I think this might have been my first voyage on the boat, if you can believe that.

I don’t know if I’ve ever noticed this little area before

And before we knew it we were over in Canada. Ahh.. the miracles of Disney transportation. Germany to Canada in 10 min!

I love this photo. Two artists getting the perfect shot. They both take such beautiful photos.

You may be able to tell from the photos that the sky was darkening at this point. And I was getting tired. I like my mid-day break. So I bid a temporary adieu to the ladies with plans to join them at Yachtsman in a bit for what would be a delicious dinner. And even included a celebrity sighting. And that’s up next…

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great update!!

I still haven't done a Kim Possible mission, oh well...there is always next time.

Love all the light fixture pictures but then again I'm sure that is not surprising to anyone anymore.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Brief afternoon break at my beloved Beach Club. Have I mentioned how much I loved the room I got and the view??

Can you see all the birds perched on the roof? It was a bit creepy. I am not a bird lover and just felt like a horror moving in the making…

I really enjoyed the room, the balcony and my Garden Grocer order that let me enjoy Diet Coke and snacks til my heart was content at “normal” (vs. Disney) prices.

Heading off to dinner next!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great update!!

I still haven't done a Kim Possible mission, oh well...there is always next time.

Love all the light fixture pictures but then again I'm sure that is not surprising to anyone anymore.

Always plenty of time to save the world. Sadly, evil never sleeps. I bet you and Marc would have a blast completing a mission together on your next trip. Whenever that may be...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Time to head next door for dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse! I had really been looking forward to this dinner. I’d heard great things about the steak, the service and the mashed potatoes.

Walking over.

Ducks in the pool. I've never quite gotten used to it. Part of me thinks its adorable. And then part of me wonders if it is really sanitary...

Taking this next photo I noticed a plaid vested WDW VIP guide. I thought nothing of it having seen the guide at AK a few days prior with a (seemingly anyway) normal family. So for the time being was just getting photos of the hotel from the walkway. Only later would I realize who was in the photo…

I just love the Yacht Club with the grey and the red & white!

Light fixture love for LL

Checking in…

As I recall they told us that it would be a wait but I think we were seated pretty quickly. We had a nice table by the windows overlooking Stormalong Bay.

I’m not sure at what point in the evening this happened but I will tell the story now. Looking out the window shown above I saw the plaid vested guide walk by with his clients. And I quickly realized that it was JAMIE DEEN! I was too slow to get a camera out in the moment but remembered a photo I had taken earlier.

Little did I know I’d see him a few more times and get a bazillion photos of him in the cooking demo on Saturday.

On to dinner.

Caesar Salad

Filet with mashed potato

Bad photos but so delicious. I think the other ladies enjoyed their dinners as well. The service was great. I had the wine that was recommended with the steak and really enjoyed it! I would definitely return here for another dinner!
After dinner we decided to hop on over to Epcot for Illuminations.

We headed over to France since I’d had such good luck with a spot there another night.

They say you should make a wish on a full moon…

Boy, do I love France!

A few views around the lagoon

All in all it was a wonderful day full of good friends, laughter and a little international espionage on the side. Paula got some AMAZING photos of the fireworks so check out Jen & Paula’s TR for those.

Heading home through the International Gateway is the best way to end the evening!

Up next? Chef Mickey's Character Breakfast, Spa time at Grand Floridian, Tea and the Halloween Party!!

Thanks for reading!

 

[Happydog]

Oh yay I love your updates they are great!!!!! Except that blecko photo of me! I was a still a drying mess from our morning jaunt to the MK, Splash Mountain our last ride out -- when will I ever learn... ANYHOW...

Great photos, sounds like a nice afternoon and dinner , and how funny your celeb sighting!!!! HA! TOOOO cute! We have done plenty KPs but never Germany, I guess we will have to get to the rest of the countries this next trip!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great photo with Happydog!!!

We haven't done the KP mission in Germany (one of the few) but I think I am liking the idea of evil and pretzels!

I was dying laughing at your accidental photo of Jamie Deen! Too bad he wasn't looking in your direction at the time! Very paparazzi of you, C!

 

[jenjolt]

Great Updates C!! Loved them!!! While I did enjoy the KP mission and the really cute things in Germany, I think until I have kids 1 is enough for me too LOL!!!!

You took some amazing pictures! I have to agree I loved spending the day with you!!!! Dinner at the Yatchsman and the Jamie Deen sighting was a lot of fun!!!

 

[MeMom]

So many things to comment on...
beautiful girls meeting up, beautiful resorts, beautiful steak and salad, beautiful World Showcase, beautiful Jamie Deen.

Very nice update. Looking forwad to the Halloween Party pictures. I haven't even looked at our October trip pictures since I have been back. We're hoping to get in a short report on the MNSSHP trip after we finish the Christmas one.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh yay I love your updates they are great!!!!! Except that blecko photo of me! I was a still a drying mess from our morning jaunt to the MK, Splash Mountain our last ride out -- when will I ever learn... ANYHOW...

Great photos, sounds like a nice afternoon and dinner , and how funny your celeb sighting!!!! HA! TOOOO cute! We have done plenty KPs but never Germany, I guess we will have to get to the rest of the countries this next trip!!!

I don't think your photo is blecko at all. But I feel that way about all my photos so I can relate.

What has been your favorite KP mission?

Great photo with Happydog!!!

We haven't done the KP mission in Germany (one of the few) but I think I am liking the idea of evil and pretzels!

I was dying laughing at your accidental photo of Jamie Deen! Too bad he wasn't looking in your direction at the time! Very paparazzi of you, C!

I am paparazzi in training. I am quite sure I let out quite a shriek in the restaurant when I realized who it was.

Great Updates C!! Loved them!!! While I did enjoy the KP mission and the really cute things in Germany, I think until I have kids 1 is enough for me too LOL!!!!

You took some amazing pictures! I have to agree I loved spending the day with you!!!! Dinner at the Yatchsman and the Jamie Deen sighting was a lot of fun!!!

Wasn't it just a super fun day? I could do another mission in Oct but a year between missions seems about right.

Ahhh Jamie Deen. WHY does he have to be happily married?

So many things to comment on...
beautiful girls meeting up, beautiful resorts, beautiful steak and salad, beautiful World Showcase, beautiful Jamie Deen.

Very nice update. Looking forwad to the Halloween Party pictures. I haven't even looked at our October trip pictures since I have been back. We're hoping to get in a short report on the MNSSHP trip after we finish the Christmas one.

And he is beautiful, MeMom. Yes, he is. So were the steak and salad and the lovely ladies I got to hang with.

I think the Halloween party is my favorite. I'd love to see your photos!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So we're up to Thursday 10/1 in our trip. Today was a jam-packed day-- Chef Mickey's for breakfast, pedicures at the Grand Floridian spa, tea at the GF, and MNSSHP. First up, it was breakfast. I am NOT a morning person. By a long shot. But this sounded like fun and it would be my first character breakfast since I was a kid.

Jen and Paula were super nice and let me sit in the "kid's seat" on the aisle where you got the most character interaction. I think every character managed to come up behind me and scare the you know what out of me. But it was fun. And I totally felt like a little kid again.

Here I am with my very favorite character, Pluto.

And my breakfast plate

The breakfast pizza everyone talks about is delish!

Jen blowing out the candle on her birthday cupcake.

I am not a big breakfast eater and don't really like breakfast foods. This breakfast was fun because of the company and characters but I couldn't really comment on the food. After breakfast we wandered around the Contemporary a bit.

I thought of Leslie with this parasailer... are you still going to try it?? I am so chicken I couldn't imagine but bet the views would be spectacular!!

We had a spa date at the Grand Floridian in not too long so Paula and Jen started along the monorail line to head there and I ducked into the MK to complete a shopping request I had received.

Another shot I have taken countless times but still can't help but shoot anew each visit.

I didnt' get either of these but I am thinking that a vintage Mr. Toad t-shirt is in my future.

Here I noticed what I have to believe is a DIS board sin... abandoning your Vera in the stroller!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Mmmm, Mickey waffles and breakfast pizza! That's what I would like every morning for breakfast, I think.

You and Pluto are adorable!!!

Your castle pictures are postcard-worthy!!!

Who would be foolish enough to leave their Vera in a stroller??? I am shocked!

 

[Circusgirl]

I loved the day and night rambles through World Showcase, Christine the accidental paparazzo (apparently you're only a paparazzi if you are traveling in a pack), and a luscious dinner and fun breakfast. You are packing in the fun again today!

My trip to California Adventure's Food and Wine is going to be unique because I will be working doing cheese seminars with my friend B-L, the Cheese Impresario. She lives in LA and came to visit me when I was at the Disneyland Hotel last summer. She has had her own business as a cheese promoter and educator for some years now. We hung out at the pool and had dinner at Napa Rose. She was able to connect with Michael Jordan that night (he was at that time the head sommelier and general manager of the Napa Rose) and later happily by accident met up with some of Disney's food and wine folks at a meeting. She expressed an interest in the festival, followed up, and now we're going to do F&W! As her helper, my official title is "Cheezette". I can't wait to experience Disney from a different angle, and it means I get to go in both April and May!

 

[All7OfUs]

I'll add what really stuck out to me:

I love the dragon lamp from Germany! (or was is Norway?) Another that would look good on my deck By the time you are done, I'll have quite an assortment that might look good!

Love that photo of "the 2 photographers"! So artsy!!

Can't wait to do a KP Mission! AH!- to save the world! The power! SEriously, it sounds like a lot of fun, and you're not the only one who has said that one is enough.

Dinner looked great. The Yachtsman has never been on my list as I'm not a steak-y kind of gal, but that salad looked divine!! heavenly even.

OK, onto the next ones I missed- you are really cranking these out, girl!

I"m back... I'm not a breakfast OR character kind of person, so Chef M's is wayyyyyyyyyy down on my list, but so glad you got to share the fun with the girls! That sure would have made for a great time.

A Vera in a stroller??!! Crazy!

 

[All7OfUs]

My trip to California Adventure's Food and Wine is going to be unique because I will be working doing cheese seminars with my friend B-L, the Cheese Impresario. She lives in LA and came to visit me when I was at the Disneyland Hotel last summer. She has had her own business as a cheese promoter and educator for some years now. We hung out at the pool and had dinner at Napa Rose. She was able to connect with Michael Jordan that night (he was at that time the head sommelier and general manager of the Napa Rose) and later happily by accident met up with some of Disney's food and wine folks at a meeting. She expressed an interest in the festival, followed up, and now we're going to do F&W! As her helper, my official title is "Cheezette". I can't wait to experience Disney from a different angle, and it means I get to go in both April and May!

Wow, Heather, that is some kind of cool! Haven't seen much of you lately. Are you still going to write on your thread(s)??

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hey Girl!
I'm still here...just trying to catch up, with me being soo sick over the holidasy, it's been tough! Great report, can't wait to read more!!!

 

[manntra]

Great Dis meets....food...and Jamie Deen!! I forgot about him!! I know you had mentioned him awhile ago
Hmmmm where are all of the drinks though? Well I suppose you can't have anything during breakfast at CM! Awwww I love Pluto too Great picture! I have a picture of my nephew..I think he was 14 at the time (very tall) and had lifted Pluto's ear and I swear in the picture he looks like he is sniffing his ear!! OMG
to the abandoned Vera

Tracy

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Mmmm, Mickey waffles and breakfast pizza! That's what I would like every morning for breakfast, I think.

You and Pluto are adorable!!!

Your castle pictures are postcard-worthy!!!

Who would be foolish enough to leave their Vera in a stroller??? I am shocked!

I agree Mickey waffles and breakfast pizza would make the morning routine easier!

Can you believe someone would abandon their Vera?? Clearly not a DIS'er.

I loved the day and night rambles through World Showcase, Christine the accidental paparazzo (apparently you're only a paparazzi if you are traveling in a pack), and a luscious dinner and fun breakfast. You are packing in the fun again today!

My trip to California Adventure's Food and Wine is going to be unique because I will be working doing cheese seminars with my friend B-L, the Cheese Impresario. She lives in LA and came to visit me when I was at the Disneyland Hotel last summer. She has had her own business as a cheese promoter and educator for some years now. We hung out at the pool and had dinner at Napa Rose. She was able to connect with Michael Jordan that night (he was at that time the head sommelier and general manager of the Napa Rose) and later happily by accident met up with some of Disney's food and wine folks at a meeting. She expressed an interest in the festival, followed up, and now we're going to do F&W! As her helper, my official title is "Cheezette". I can't wait to experience Disney from a different angle, and it means I get to go in both April and May!

Wow, Heather. That sounds so cool. I can't wait to hear about it.

I'll add what really stuck out to me:

I love the dragon lamp from Germany! (or was is Norway?) Another that would look good on my deck By the time you are done, I'll have quite an assortment that might look good!

Love that photo of "the 2 photographers"! So artsy!!

Can't wait to do a KP Mission! AH!- to save the world! The power! SEriously, it sounds like a lot of fun, and you're not the only one who has said that one is enough.

Dinner looked great. The Yachtsman has never been on my list as I'm not a steak-y kind of gal, but that salad looked divine!! heavenly even.

OK, onto the next ones I missed- you are really cranking these out, girl!

I"m back... I'm not a breakfast OR character kind of person, so Chef M's is wayyyyyyyyyy down on my list, but so glad you got to share the fun with the girls! That sure would have made for a great time.

A Vera in a stroller??!! Crazy!

Your deck would look very eclectic as Jackie would say with both a Moroccan lamp and the dragon lamp (that was in Germany).

I think you'll enjoy KP!

I definitely recommend Yachtsman... put it on your list!

I'm not in a big hurry to return to Chef Mickey's but am really glad we went!

I know.. can you believe she abandoned her Vera. If I hadn't been in a hurry I would have stuck around to see who would commit this sin!

Hey Girl!
I'm still here...just trying to catch up, with me being soo sick over the holidasy, it's been tough! Great report, can't wait to read more!!!

Hi Kristen. It's been a busy few months all around. I still need to catch up on your report (she says hanging her head in shame )

Great Dis meets....food...and Jamie Deen!! I forgot about him!! I know you had mentioned him awhile ago
Hmmmm where are all of the drinks though? Well I suppose you can't have anything during breakfast at CM! Awwww I love Pluto too Great picture! I have a picture of my nephew..I think he was 14 at the time (very tall) and had lifted Pluto's ear and I swear in the picture he looks like he is sniffing his ear!! OMG
to the abandoned Vera

Tracy

You nailed it. Breakfast booze would totally improve Chef Mickeys! Pluto is my absolute fave.

Seriously, that Vera deserves a good home. To be abandoned like that...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

My shopping mission completed I headed back out of MK and over to Grand Floridian for our spa date. Don't flip out but I think I may prefer the Halloween decorations to the holiday decorations. Something about the fall colors just really speak to me. Which is not to say the holiday decorations aren't fabulous too!

Occasionally I am struck by inspiration. VERY occasionally. As I was walking out I realized that I had never actually climbed up the steps to the train station and seen the view from there. So that is just what I did!!

Heading over to the Grand Floridian. As an aside I am so glad we had our Kim Possible training the day before b/c little did we know we would be drafted for a covert mission involving the Grand Floridian. So we will be studying these pictures formulating our plan.

Well the name is apt. That lobby sure is GRAND.

I had been in the lobby before but never really explored the grounds. I was in for a treat!

Stay tuned... for more of a walking tour of the GF grounds, the spa and tea time!!

 

[Happydog]

okay okay I am staying tuned! BUT so far I have to say again that I just love your photos you manage to capture the park when it doesn't seem crowded even though it might be! Um, I don't think it is odd to say you like the fall decor vs. the Christmas holiday.. it is a tough call. DH and I were discussing this too -- I think I like fall best for many reasons, the weather is just perfect (but that can be unpredictable) and the temp is right for pool and play.. not humid as much, and the blue sky is very clear. With December I felt it was too cold generally speaking to do much else but go to the park, and wearing pants is weird... Christmas is so festive... but then there is the F & W... so I guess it is a hard decision to make ultimately! Which is why they getcha coming back for more!!! I only have to go for the floral show, then I will feel I have been to Disney in all seasons!

Okay, staying tuned for more!!! Spa and Tea!!?? sounds marvelous!