Not ready yet???!!! A February trip report! Update 10/25 Day 9

[Disneyfreak616]

Mouse Gear is definitely one of my favorite stores in WDW.

Those topiaries are all so cute and creative!

Yayy for a ride on Test Track! That ride is so fun!

Can't wait to hear where you chose to eat in WS!

 

[annmarieda]

I updated

You need to go for F&G once, Ann, the topiaries are just amazing!

On our first trip, we were there during it. I think I was so overwhelmed at everything I just didn't notice. I know we took some pictures, but I think I kinda assumed that these things were up all the time.

Course, this should have been a clue that it was special... (sorry if you want me to delete the photo off your thread I can)

 

[dizneeat]

Mouse Gear is definitely one of my favorite stores in WDW.

Those topiaries are all so cute and creative!

Yayy for a ride on Test Track! That ride is so fun!

Can't wait to hear where you chose to eat in WS!

We love Mousegear too, and spend A LOT of time in there, too many things to discover, try on, pick up and put back!
I was just not happy with the CMs at that particular time!

They had so many fun topiaries ..... and there were new ones every day!

On our first trip, we were there during it. I think I was so overwhelmed at everything I just didn't notice. I know we took some pictures, but I think I kinda assumed that these things were up all the time.

Course, this should have been a clue that it was special... (sorry if you want me to delete the photo off your thread I can)

I love the photo, Ann, please let me keep it here!

I had to when you mentioned that you didn't realize it was something special - it's easy to get overwhelmed during those first few visits - happened to Tom and me too! They were advertising E-ride nights the first year we were there, and we only realized what they were AFTER we got home!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Karin! Thank you for sharing the topiary pics - I never get enough of those! It seems those mousegears CMs made a big mistake, not knowing what a big fan of D&B you are! Can't wait to see what is for lunch

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Karin! Thank you for sharing the topiary pics - I never get enough of those! It seems those mousegears CMs made a big mistake, not knowing what a big fan of D&B you are! Can't wait to see what is for lunch

There are lots more topiaries to come, Tammie! We were so lucky this year, because we stayed right before F&G opened and most of the topiaries were already up! We came back to Epcot on our last day and there were even more!

I bet, it they had known we were to buy 2 handbags and a purse, the CM at Mousegear would have rolled out the red carpet for us! Well, the CM at WoD was pretty happy with our purchase too!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Tronorail!!!

On my first ride on M:S last year, I didn't hear the cues for my turn to press the buttons, haha. Good thing there's auto-pilot!

Wow, there are CARS out there???? I've never seen that shot before! Probably because we always go so fast. Great catch Karin!

Where do they take those photos? People always look so bored at that point.

 

[dizneeat]

Tronorail!!!

On my first ride on M:S last year, I didn't hear the cues for my turn to press the buttons, haha. Good thing there's auto-pilot!

Wow, there are CARS out there???? I've never seen that shot before! Probably because we always go so fast. Great catch Karin!

Where do they take those photos? People always look so bored at that point.

We saw Tronorail a lot! And even got to ride in it!

We have been on TT so often, that we are now looking more for the odd thing, than the ride itself! I have tried to catch those cars before, but it never came out quite in focus or was blurry - I really got lucky this time.

They take the photo before the barrier test. I guess most people know it is only doors opening, so this is why they are so bored!

 

[jenseib]

It wil lbe weird in Aug for me too. I have gone in March/April the last 4 trips and the F&G stuff is always going up then. the 2 trips prior were in May. I will be seeing a naked park! LOL!
We had a drizzly start on our Epcot day and i didn't get as many pictures as i had hoped...but I still did get a lot.

 

[Stefy]

Loving all the F&G photos, Donald looks like he wants to swoop down and hug you Cute Stitchy pic, love the border

Where are those cars from that are formed in a circle, never seen that before.

 

[dizneeat]

It wil lbe weird in Aug for me too. I have gone in March/April the last 4 trips and the F&G stuff is always going up then. the 2 trips prior were in May. I will be seeing a naked park! LOL!
We had a drizzly start on our Epcot day and i didn't get as many pictures as i had hoped...but I still did get a lot.

Well, there will be LOADS to tourists at the park in August, how is that for a change.
But to get a glimpse of the F&G Festival surely made for an added bonus for us.

Loving all the F&G photos, Donald looks like he wants to swoop down and hug you Cute Stitchy pic, love the border

Where are those cars from that are formed in a circle, never seen that before.

I have lots more photos of fun topiaries, Stefy! But I was happy to "discover" the Stitch one first.
The cars in a circle are in the outside loop of Test Track. Right when you leave the indoor part, look to your right and there they are. I tried to catch a photo of them for quite some time, but they always came out blurry, so I was quite happy with the photo I took this time.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 5, February 23

A peek at the Flower and Garden Festival with a visit to „The Ditch“ and some caramel - Part 3


It was past 11am and that meant that World Showcase was open by now and we could have some lunch.
So we walked over to the countries and since we hadn’t tried the new counter service place in Mexico, that is where we were heading. So once we had arrived at the La Cantina de San Angel,

we were shocked at how full the outside seating area was. We knew that you could sit inside the Table Service Restaurant during the day as well, so we peeked inside,

it was full there too, but there were still a few open tables, so we went back to get in line.
Quick look and we found that all the cash points had about the same amount of people in line, so we stayed at the one closest two us. Two groups on both sides, now that should not take long.
The first three groups went fast, so there was only a group on the other side to be care of and it would be our turn. The family had discussed the menu all the time they were in line, so there should not be a problem, or so we thought.
Once it was their turn they started to think about their options, ordered, changed the order, changed it again, and finally told the Cast Member they were on the Disney Dining Plan. Ups, sorry, but some of the items you ordered, like the extra sides needed extra credits. Okay they started over again to just order what was covered and it took quite a while as they needed to rethink.
Well, they finally were done rethinking and ordering and the CM took their Key To The World, pulled it through and “Surprise”, they didn’t have enough credits. Would they like to pay cash for the rest – no, they would not!
They rethought and started all over again. In the meantime the CM needed a manager to void the order and it took even more time. Both the manager and CM apologized to us, but by that time we were no longer shaking our heads, but only laughing. The family of three adults and two kids were finally done ordering and paying with their credits and the CM turned to us.
Since we had had more than enough time to make up our mind we ordered and were done in about a minute. The other family was picking up their lunch right before we were handed ours and stormed inside the Table Service restaurant as well. They plopped down at the very first, rather small empty table there was and one of them had to even have their meal standing next to the table holding the tray.
We walked a little further and found a nice table between two benches and sat down. We both were thirsty and needed a drink. We shared a large Diet Coke and

the Tacos de Carne - grilled beef tacos served on fresh handmade corn tortillas with Pico de Gallo,

lime and corn tortilla chips.

Tom got some sauces and we both really enjoyed the tacos and the warm tortilla chips a lot. I wanted to try

the Churros con Cajeta - Churros with caramel milk.

And that was right up my street! Soft sweet churros, dipped into the caramel goodness of the sauce! Oh yum. Sometimes I am pretty happy Tom doesn’t like sweet things as much as I do.

Once we had finished our lunch we went inside the Mexican Pavillion to see if we could do the boatride. Boy, was it packed in there and no way am I getting in line for that little boatride for 20 minutes.
So why not have a nice relaxing drink instead.

A few steps over to the La Cava del Tequila to have a look if we could squeeze in there somewhere and we were surprised to find it absolutely empty. Needless to say that we had change that and sat down at a table for two.

 

[tinacaplan]

Hi! One of the great things about going during that week in February is that a lot of the F&G is up already! BONUS! La Hacienda's CS is one of the CS places in WS I'd love to try this trip.

 

[Stefy]

Those churros look yummy

What a nightmare with that family

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I hate it when I get behind people like that! Those tacos look fabulous, I prefer beef like that, not the ground variety.

The churros I can do without, too greasy for me.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Yum Yum and double Yum...can't wait to try that restaurant!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Hi! One of the great things about going during that week in February is that a lot of the F&G is up already! BONUS! La Hacienda's CS is one of the CS places in WS I'd love to try this trip.

This year we were a few days short of them officially opening it, so there were even more topiaries up than the year before. It was so much fun to see more and more of them magically appearing every day.

La Cantina is a fun place to eat - just remember that you have the option to escape the heat and sun by eating inside the TS restaurant!

Those churros look yummy

What a nightmare with that family

It's the second time we have run into a family like this one, but after some time it was like a play and you were waiting what was going to happen next.

I loved the Churros - especially with the caramel!

I hate it when I get behind people like that! Those tacos look fabulous, I prefer beef like that, not the ground variety.

The churros I can do without, too greasy for me.

Those Tacos were really yummy. We don't have much to compare them with as Mexican food is not very popular here, but they were real good.

As for the family - thinking back now it was fun watching it unfold - standing there then, it was like wringing their necks!

Yum Yum and double Yum...can't wait to try that restaurant!!!

The food was so good - just try to avoid the family that has not enough DDP credits!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 5, February 23

A peek at the Flower and Garden Festival with a visit to „The Ditch“ and some caramel - Part 4


Needless to say that we had change that and sat down at a table for two.

A server was on hand immediately and she welcomed us, pointed out a few things and then left to let us have a look at the menu. Tom chose an

Avocado Margarita, El Mayor Premium White Tequila, Melon liqueur, fresh avocado, fresh lime juice and agave nectar, served frozen with a Hibiscus Himalayan Salt rim.
Last time we were there I had wanted to try the

Pineapple Margarita, but they were out of pineapple juice, so I was determined to get it this time. It was made from El Mayor Premium White Tequila, ginger liqueur, caramelized pineapple nectar, agave nectar and fresh lime juice, served on the rocks with a cactus-lemongrass Himalayan Salt rim. Both were very good!
And there was one thing we were sure we wanted to have as well,

the Guacamole with side of fried flour chicharron drizzled with Valentina sauce. The server offered a side of

fresh tortilla chips as well and we happily ordered that too.
It was so nice sitting in the cool little Cava, nibbling and sipping. It left both of us a little thirsty, so we got some Diet Coke as well. We sat there for quite some time, before we finished our treats and the bar filled up and it was time to leave.
We then set out on a quest to find as many Flower and Garden Festival topiaries as possible.
There were a ton around World Showcase, Trolls in Norway,

lots of animals in China,

the characters from the Lion King,

Mickey and Minnie,

Princesses and Princes and many more.

 

[jenseib]

I just love all the topiaries. I wish they were up year round.

 

[Linda67]

Wonderful photos Karin

Oh boy what I would give for an Avocado Margarita right now

 

[annmarieda]

Your snack looks very yummy! I read about the Ditch a lot... and I have to assume it must be fairly new. I don't remember it being around last September. I think I will definitely have to try this... since it is a bar, I will have to figure out a way to do so when I won't have dd with me. (I assume like all bars, minors are not allowed)