Thursday - PS!
Since we were on the 4-3 deal, we had 7 day tickets, and since I couldnt let those go to waste, we were there at rope-drop for DHS today. Plus it was DFs birthday, and we needed to get our gift card. This took way too long and by the time we dashed to Toy Story Mania, the fast pass time was 11! So we grabbed a fast pass and hopped in line. It was 30 min, not too bad. Then we dashed to RR, and did the single rider thing 2 times cuz the real line was 70 min. Then we dashed back to TSM and dashed to the busses. We were starving so we took a bus to the Poly and had lunch at Captain Cooks. It was decent. Then we walked to the WP and met my parents. (it was about this time that I realized I left my camera in the room, so I apologize for the lack of pictures my dad took some, but not a lot)
There we met with our WC, Joe, and talked about the contract he had sent, and some of our concerns and ideas. Then we jetted off to Epcot to see the AAP. I must say from seeing pictures, I was convinced Id see it - love it - have to have it. Not so much. It was pretty an all, but seemed dated and closed in. Well at least I was off that kick. When we went out the elevator we came through the main entrance of the American Adventure ride thingy, and my dad stopped me because a receipt fell out of my pocket - remember this it comes back.
Then we went to the Contemporary to the California Grill. We drove by BLT, and Im so excited to stay there before the wedding! We saw the Napa and Sonoma Rooms, and the views were stunning. We decided wed use the Sonoma Room for the pre-reception cocktails, and dinner in the Napa Room. I will admit Im not *in love* with the carpet and existing pictures - so if anyone has any ideas -Id love to hear them.
We didn't take any pictures of the rooms I don't know why but we did take a picture of this pretty centerpiece they had at the bar of the CG.
(I'm useless I know)
From there we went to the Whitehall room which was set up for a reception to take a peek. Both my parents really liked that room, but I couldnt get over that it was/is a ballroom. They also were sold on the patio - which I thought was crazy since wed spent the first part of the PS arguing with my mom about the DP since she thought it would be too cold outside and didnt want to rely on that. Hellooooooo?? The patio is outside!
Anyway, I wasnt feeling the Whitehall room, so we stuck with the Napa/Sonoma combo - for now. Then we parted ways with Joe and ventured to the poly for a much needed lapu lapu. As mentioned this one was about 1/2 the size as the first one and about 1/2 as good. Disappointed in the bartender, we headed to the boardwalk to check out places for the rehearsal dinner.
Now this is one of those things that will be the death of me I can feel it.
I really want a Dessert Party. My mother does not. Well, actually my mom has no problem with the DP concept - she just wants a venue where we can have it indoors. Sorry doesnt exist. She also thinks that we need to treat everyone to dinner before. My dad and I keep trying to tell her that the point of the DP is so we dont have to buy everyone a full dinner, but they can all still meet. But she has her mind set, so were just going along.
So she wanted to look at places around the boardwalk/beach club area so we could just hop on a boat and go to the DP. So we looked at Flying Fish - too fancy. Spoodles - too much food. Big River Brewery - PERFECT. DF used to work at a micro-brewery, and the location they have for parties is right by the brewing equipment. So were going to do a really informal - sandwiches and such - dinner there and then take the friendship boats to EPCOT for the DP is France. So its very us
After that we went to back to the contemporary to get seats at the bar for Wishes since I knew we wouldnt get seated in time with our 7:45 ADR. We got great seats until this woman came up to us and asked if we minded if she and her family stood in front of us and blocked our view. At first we thought she was kidding, but she was dead serious. We kindly kicked her butt out of our view and took these pictures.
So finally after Wishes, we were seated and had the WORST waitress. We were seated by 8:15 had water by 8:30 and were served our appetizer at 9. An hour - for sushi? The food was good - not great - but good. After Sushi - the dumb waitress talked me out of what I really wanted and into a roll that she claimed would be amazing - it was okay. DF and I shared a goat cheese ravioli - good- but too goat cheesy for the reception. (I LOVE goat cheese btw) I had the pasta dish for dinner, it was okay. DF had the ostrich and mom had the pork and dad had fish (cant remember what kind) but everyones was better than mine. Then our dippy waitress asks if we want dessert. We all decline and get coffee. The table adjacent to ours receives a free piece of cake, a song and balloons for their birthday. I have DFs birthday on the reservation, he's wearing his birthday button, and were both wearing the just engaged buttons Joe gave us, and I put on the reservation that we were planning on having our reception there. I made some snotty comment about how we must not look like were big tippers or something - and then 5 minutes later we both got free desserts. I felt a bit guilty like I might have been overheard - cuz I wasnt trying to get a free dessert. But I was just genuinely disappointed in the whole experience. I wanted to feel special and be re-assured that I was making the right choice in venue, and I just wasnt, so Im still second-guessing my choice.
Everyone else enjoyed themselves, but I was just disappointed in everything and now Im totally bummed
Then we headed back to the hotel - getting less lost and breaking fewer traffic laws this time around.
I should mention at this point, on the way back to the room, I broke down and bought the ridiculously over priced cold medicine since I was pretty sure my head was going to explode if I didn't.
And we were greeted by a pacifier-free bed, and fell asleep.
GRRRR. So we peeked around the ropes and talked to the CM a bit before moving on. 
) So she bought me this:
