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

[YukiPhnx]

Wow....what is up with the other family ordering before you? I guess it was their last day or something...using up their credits. Too bad some people aren't more organized.

Oooh, those churros look really good! I've never had churros before, so I can't wait to try them on my next trip. Mmmm, caramel milk sounds REALLY good. I wonder if they actually mix it with milk?

Ohhh, avocado margerita! I didn't know about that one, but it looks VERY good. I'll have to put it on my list.

I love that you take pictures of the topiaries that usually don't get a lot of attention during the F&G show.

 

[dizneeat]

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

There were such a lot of topiaries and every day there were a few more. And I am so with you - they should stay up all year round - they are wonderful to look at!

Wonderful photos Karin

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

Thank you, Linda!
Tom enjoyed his Avocado Margarita quite a bit and we are both looking forward to trying something new in August!

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)

We first went there in February 2010. It's quite hidden away in the Mexican Pavillion and they only open around midday.
I do not think you will have to go there "childfree". At the table next to us were a mum and dad and 3 small children (one sleeping in a stroller ). They were very welcome at The Ditch! I think you more than earned yourself one of those wonderful drinks with all you have been through!

Wow....what is up with the other family ordering before you? I guess it was their last day or something...using up their credits. Too bad some people aren't more organized.

Oooh, those churros look really good! I've never had churros before, so I can't wait to try them on my next trip. Mmmm, caramel milk sounds REALLY good. I wonder if they actually mix it with milk?

Ohhh, avocado margerita! I didn't know about that one, but it looks VERY good. I'll have to put it on my list.

I love that you take pictures of the topiaries that usually don't get a lot of attention during the F&G show.

That family was definitely something "special", and once we went past being annoyed, we found it kind of funny what else they could come up with!

If you have never had a churro before, you HAVE TO try one next time you go to WDW! Beware, they are SWEET!!!!!! But they were heavenly dipped into the caramel milk.

We took so many photos of the topiaries and I picked a few less "known" ones for all of you to see! Don't worry I have a lot more to post.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 5, February 23

A peek at the Flower and Garden Festival with a visit to „The Ditch“ and some caramel - Part 5


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 much more.

The only real stop we made was in Germany to pick up some of the famed Caramel Pop Corn. We had a nice chat with a Cast Member there who was stunned that we would answer her in German. We walked out through the shop and stopped to talk to one other Cast Member who was talking about which other parts of the USA she still wanted to travel to.
We munched our popcorn

while walking around World Showcase and it was as good as everyone had said. When we came to the International Gateway, we decided not to do the full loop, but leave via the Gateway and try to score a table at Beaches and Cream now.
It looked pretty full, people were sitting at the tables outside the restaurant, but we gave it a shot. The Cast Member was very sweet and told us that we might have to wait a while. She then went inside and when she came back she asked if we would mind sitting at the counter. We didn’t mind and 3 minutes later we were seated at the counter.

We were handed a menu and asked if we wanted something to drink and we both ordered a Diet Coke. Still being quite full from our lunch we both decided on something a little smaller. Tom ordered

the Frozen Sunshine - orange sherbet, vanilla ice cream and seltzer, blended to perfection, topped with whipped cream, and a candied orange slice and I knew what I wanted before we had even entered Beaches and Cream. I wanted the

Mickey Mouse Sundae, made with Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. It is just the right size of a treat for me! While we were waiting for our sundaes we could watch the Cast Members preparing numerous other treats and were amazed at the amount of ice cream that went into those. Once our treats had arrived we enjoyed them very much and Tom was not even able to finish his, even though it was very good and much lighter than we would have imagined. When we had finished our afternoon snack we decided to go back to the resort to crash for a while. Or so we thought.

 

[KatMark]

Karin, your pictures from the Flower & Garden show are wonderful.

Beaches & Cream is another one of those we have yet to get to.

 

[dizneeat]

Karin, your pictures from the Flower & Garden show are wonderful.

Beaches & Cream is another one of those we have yet to get to.

We just loved to see all the topiaries. This year we were just so lucky as F&G officially opened a day or two after we left and we got to see most of it already!

Kathy, if you have never been to Beaches and Cream - you HAVE TO go there. Once you get together with Nicki and Todd, order a Kitchen Sink! HUGE ice-cream sundae to share - or get one of their speciality sundaes. Yum, yum, yummy!!!!!!

 

[Queenofallthings]

That picture you took from your seat at the counter reminded me of when our dad would take us for ice cream when we were little

I think I'm going to try what Tom had...it looks and sounds delicious!

Those topiary pictures are beautiful Karin, just goregous!

 

[Stefy]

Loving the topiaries, they look so cool

So have to check out Cava del Tequila

 

[dizneeat]

That picture you took from your seat at the counter reminded me of when our dad would take us for ice cream when we were little

I think I'm going to try what Tom had...it looks and sounds delicious!

Those topiary pictures are beautiful Karin, just goregous!

We don't have anything like that, so it was a fun experience for us.

Tom loved his Florida Sunshine. It was not as overly sweet as a lot of the other sundaes - he likes sweet, but only a little sweet.

Loving the topiaries, they look so cool

So have to check out Cava del Tequila

It was just so much fun to "find" new topiaries all the time - we were on a quest to take as many photos as possible.

You'll love The Ditch! Order some guacamole and chips to have something to nibble on.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 5, February 23

A peek at the Flower and Garden Festival with a visit to „The Ditch“ and some caramel - Part 6


When we had finished our afternoon snack we decided to go back to the resort to crash for a while. Or so we thought.

We arrived back at our resort around 3pm to find our room ……… not ready, yet!

No, our room was not made up by 3pm and there was no mousekeeping to be seen anywhere around. So we just chilled on our unmade beds for a while and then decided to head out and do a little shopping at the outlet malls. We headed to the Prime 1 outlet mall to do a little more Disney shopping. There were a lot of things that peaked our interest and we actually took home quite a few things including T-shirts, DCL embossers and some other little things.

We wandered around the mall for a little more time, popping into some of the shops to have a look around and before we knew it, it was dark outside. It was nearly 8pm and we had gotten hungry.
There were lots of options on the way back to the resort but a friend from the DISboards had suggested Miller’s Ale House and that was where we decided to go for dinner. Thankfully Tom had programmed it into the GPS earlier and once we arrived there all our hopes for getting a table dropped as the parking lot was full. It never hurts to try, so we walked around to the entrance, looked around, it was shock full inside, but since there was a server at the check-out, we just asked if there was a chance for a table for two. And we were so lucky! Not only did they have room for us, they even had a table available right away. It was a nice and comfy booth towards the back of the restaurant and as soon as we were settled in our server arrived and asked for our drinks orders. I don’t have to think about it as I always have Diet Coke, with the exception of Bubba Gump’s and Tom had spotted something on the menu that he wanted to try,

the Killians Red. Once we had put in our drinks order we went back to have a closer look at rather big menu. We both decided on ordering a

Caesar salad to start off the meal.
It was a little underdressed, but nice and crisp. Tom ordered the

Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs, their own secret slow cooked recipe smothered in Barbeque Sauce, served with French Fries and Coleslaw. The Ribs were huge and there was a generous portion of fries, but the Coleslaw came in a tiny cup. I felt like ordering a steak. So I went for the

Flat Iron Steak with Boom Boom Shrimp. A Choice Flat Iron Steak with 10 mildly spicy Panko breaded shrimp, served with a baked potato, loaded with butter, sour cream, chives, cheese and bacon bits and a side of broccoli. The serving was huge and even though I was pretty hungry I was not able to finish it. There was no way we could fit in dessert, so we left after finishing our meal and rolled back over to the car.
We were both tired and went back to the resort and were happy to see our room being finally made up.

Tired as we were we crashed on the beds and after a little TV it was time to turn off the light and go to sleep.

 

[KatMark]

Again, an update with food BEFORE I eat lunch. When will I ever learn?

And to top it off it is Bubba's which we discussed. I am going there this summer come he** or high water!

 

[dizneeat]

Again, an update with food BEFORE I eat lunch. When will I ever learn?

And to top it off it is Bubba's which we discussed. I am going there this summer come he** or high water!

You know me, Kathy ...... I cannot post without mentioning FOOD!
You are going to love Bubba's! Just be prepared to be asked a few questions on Forrest Gump!

 

[Stefy]

Ooh yes some munchies with my tequila (as poor DF won't be drinking after an unfortunate incident with the liquid a few years ago - can't touch the stuff now ). Chips and dips sounds perfect

 

[podsnel]

Yay!! All caught up!! Although I think was I was more caught up than I thought, because when I read the story about the family in front of you in Mexico, it sounded awfully familiar!!

I'm glad you got your pineapple Rita- what were those other things you had? Were they pork rinds?

 

[englishrose47]

Great Update Karin !!Your Steak and Boom Boom shrimp looked wonderful!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Ooh yes some munchies with my tequila (as poor DF won't be drinking after an unfortunate incident with the liquid a few years ago - can't touch the stuff now ). Chips and dips sounds perfect

Those munchies are really addictive!
Sorry Dave doesn't enjoy those drinks, you will have to drink double the amount to make up for him!

Yay!! All caught up!! Although I think was I was more caught up than I thought, because when I read the story about the family in front of you in Mexico, it sounded awfully familiar!!

I'm glad you got your pineapple Rita- what were those other things you had? Were they pork rinds?

for being all caught up! Maybe you have read about that "fun family" in my dining review They were mentioned there too!

You are not the first to think these "chips" were pork rinds. MickeyNicki had to explain them to me, but these "chips" were definitely flower based. They were light and crisp and tasteless when not dipped into something yummy!

Great Update Karin !!Your Steak and Boom Boom shrimp looked wonderful!!!

Thank you, Rosie! That was a wonderful meal, even if it was offsite!

 

[MamaPotts]

Oooh, those churros look really good! I've never had churros before, so I can't wait to try them on my next trip. Mmmm, caramel milk sounds REALLY good. I wonder if they actually mix it with milk?

Karin, I hope you don't mind me stepping in here to explain what cajeta is. It's a caramel sauce of sorts, which is traditionally made with goat's milk instead of cow's milk. However we've always used the cheap (or lazy or quick) version which involves simmering an unopened can of condensed milk in a large pot of water, for at least one hour. You then allow it to cool in the pot. Once it's cooled off, you open the can, pour the liquid into a bowl or wide-mouthed jar and add a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and stir well.

Now back to our regular programming...

 

[Stefy]

Those munchies are really addictive!
Sorry Dave doesn't enjoy those drinks, you will have to drink double the amount to make up for him!

Ha ha don't think that would be a pretty picture, drinking his half would definitely floor me

 

[dizneeat]

Karin, I hope you don't mind me stepping in here to explain what cajeta is. It's a caramel sauce of sorts, which is traditionally made with goat's milk instead of cow's milk. However we've always used the cheap (or lazy or quick) version which involves simmering an unopened can of condensed milk in a large pot of water, for at least one hour. You then allow it to cool in the pot. Once it's cooled off, you open the can, pour the liquid into a bowl or wide-mouthed jar and add a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and stir well.

Now back to our regular programming...

Thank you for helping me out here!
I know the method from my aunt in London - I think she makes toffee that way, but she boils the condensed milk for about 4 hours! Now the content of that tin is heavenly!

Ha ha don't think that would be a pretty picture, drinking his half would definitely floor me

Should definitely be interesting!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 6, February 24

Rides and shows, run Forrest run, and lots and expensive shopping - Part 1

We had set the alarm early as we wanted to make it to the Disney Hollywood Studios for rope drop. Tom made some coffee while I was in the shower and we had a little snack breakfast in the room before we left the resort, shortly before 9am. The drive to the Studios was short and uneventful and like always the car in front of us started a new row at the VERY far end of the parking lot and we both just didn’t feel like hiking all that way, so we left the lot and while driving out discussed if it was better to go to Epcot, but then threw out the idea, turned around and tried our luck again.
This time we were a little luckier as we scored a spot in the lower third of the row. The trams were packed and since we were still in walking distance to the entrance we just walked over to the bag check at Guest Services outside the park and got in line to enter the park.

By then it was way past 9am and we could not believe at how packed the park already was. Our first stop was the tip board and since there were shorter lines for Tower of Terror and Rock’n’Rollercoaster we decided to give Toy Story Mania a shot and walked over there.
Once we arrived at the Voyage of the Little Mermaid theatre we saw that the line for Fast Passes for Toy Story Mania started there already. We did not get in line and just looked at the time the Fastpasses they were currently giving out was for and it was for 12.50. There was no way picking up a Fast Pass, as we didn’t think we would stay in the park for such a long time. The standby wait time was around an hour and that was just too long. We walked over to the Streets of America section and it was empty.

The perfect time for taking a few photos and checking out the little details that you only find when you take a closer look. Once we had spent some time looking around and people started to come over to that section we walked back to the tipboard.

By then it was nearly 10.30am and the Fast Pass return time for Toy Story Mania was for 5 – 6pm! We thought that we could try our luck at the Tower of Terror, which looked so different with all the scaffolding around it.

There was only a 15 minute wait, so before getting in line we headed over to Rock’n’Rollercoaster to pick up a Fast Pass and the return time was only about 30 minutes later, so that was a very nice surprise. We walked over to Tower of Terror and got in line and within 10 minutes we were in the boiler room and on and off the ride a little before our Fast Pass return time was starting. We browsed though the shop a little while and once our return time had started we picked up another Fast Pass for Tower of Terror and then walked over to Rock’n’Rollercoaster.

 

[Linda67]

Great update Karin

I love the photo of the Streets Of America