Off to Neverland...A BOGO Trip Report! PG 44 ~ It's over

[Marion]

I have a surprise! It is a secret.
Shhhh.
I'm not telling yet.
Nope.
But it is good, I promise!

I bet I know!

 

[DisneyJo]

I have a surprise! It is a secret.

Shhhh.


I'm not telling yet.


Nope.


But it is good, I promise!

Oh Jen don't do this to us, you know we're all sooooo nosy

 

[princessjv]

I bet I know!

Oh Jen don't do this to us, you know we're all sooooo nosy

I can hardly hold it in, but I will keep it for the end...so hang on...I am on a roll to get this done.

 

[princessjv]

Baby it’s cold outside...


But not to cold for us Minnesotan’s. That’s what we call ourselves up here in the tundra. When we left home just 6 short days before, it was a whopping -10 degrees outside. That was not factoring in the wind chill, which would then surely bring that temp down a few, 10 or 20 degrees. Yes, we Minnesotan’s are used to the cold. Some like it, others don’t mind it. But I must admit… Stepping outside to take a breath of fresh air, only to have your nostril hairs freeze on intake, is NOT my favorite thing about the place in which we choose to live.


You may wonder, “Why is it that we live here anyways?" I too have to remind myself...

There are as many reasons as we have lakes. I promise. But that is for another time.


We awoke from our much needed and appreciated vacation NAP a bit late.

A bit.

HA.

More like we took a mid afternoon sleep.

When we awoke we had missed our ADR’s for dinner at Spoodles. Not just by ‘that much’. Missed it by hours. 2.5 in fact. So what to do, what to do.

Epcot had EMH this evening. We could head over there and try to take some things in. While there, we could throw some food at the kiddos and enjoy a nice evening walking, I mean eating…okay, drinking around WS.

Sounds great.

Right?


Doing the Mom thing, I called to get the updated temp. for the evening. Boy, it really did cool down. Tonight’s low was in the high 30’s. Should we go? Heck Yea! In MN, when it is in the 30’s in Mid-winter, it feels like Spring, yes you read that right.

Spring!

It is not uncommon to see people roaming without jackets, enjoying winter for all pit’s glories. My DH & Lil’l Diz love warm days in the 30’s to go skiing. They too take part in going jacketless.

The only issue was that we left all ‘warm’ clothing back home. Sure, I had jean jackets and light weight mittens. But I left the hats and warm jackets back home. So what does a MN Mom, like me do? I layered just about every warm item I packed. They had form fitted pj’s under their pants, long sleeved t-shirts layered under Disney sweatshirts and jean jackets. To add to the warmth, I brought and used our beach towels as blankets. (My dh laughed at me when I pulled those out to bring. He said we are Minnesotan’s for God Sake! But mom’s know best and I knew that with my kiddo’s sitting still in the double-wide it would be much colder than walking…so I brought them and got a great poke at my DH when I did pull them out b/c the kiddos where cold from the wind.)

Out the door we went. And all the way to Epcot, comments we were given. I honestly have never heard so many people bellyache about a little cold weather. The entire way we heard from CM’s and other resort Guests that it is freezing outside. We were told we were crazy 3 times and I am sure at least 50 others thunk it but just never spoke it. As we left, the lobby greeter made an announcement that we were the ‘die-hards’ of the night. We just smiled on our way out and told him we were Minnesotan’s we can take it!

What we really were thinking was…Bring it on baby! I bet the park will be deserted! More fun for us!


Where we right?


You Betcha!



We decided to hit Soarin 1st. That way the kiddos could eat some decent food and we could hit Soarin. Our plan was to hit WS after a few left out and needed to repeated attractions. Our plan started out well. We literally walked on. Literally. At 8:30 P.M. there was just enough people to make a full voyage. We then took in the Circle of Life Film, which is a great reminder of just what we are doing to our only world (yes I love green, not just LIME ). After was a long trip to play with Figment. Sorry Figment lovers, he is just not one of our beloved. We did however enjoy the interactive area. Tink ran around from one thing to another. This was okay with us because beside 1 other family, we were alone.

By this time my dh & I were getting quite hungry. We plopped our kiddos into the double-wide and I bundled them up with their Disney Themed Beach Towels and we were off to get us some food…and drink.

Or were we?


Well, we thought we were…


But who knew that WS closed earlier than the rest of the park during EMH?


We sure didn’t.


Man, were we hungry,


And grouchy,



As we walked our way around WS starting at Mexico.


Trying to get to the International Gateway.




At some point it started to…




Drizzle.



Nothing was going to stop us from getting some photo’s of our Kiddos in France, by the fountain.


Alone.

Can you believe that we seriously were the ONLY PEOPLE AROUND!

And then we were off to find us some food and a bed.

Lil'l Diz on the way to our home away from home with just one other family on the boat... They too were from a cold weather state.


What I learned from this day:
1. If you go in Jan/Feb. Bring clothes for every season. You probably will need them.
2. Beach Towels have many uses.
3. Take a nap. I mean it. Really…Take a nap! You’re on vacation, enjoy it!
4. Floridians and much of American Disney vacationers do no fair well with cold. That is okay…take advantage of the temp. You just may be alone in the parks.
5. PHD at Hollywood & Vine rocks, if you have little PHD fans.
6. Get off your schedule once in a while. You could be rewarded with an unexpected dream.
7. The MGM parade is full of the fun Boy Action characters. If you have a boy…it is a must!
8. The Boardwalk Bakery is open late, which is good because every other outdoor vendor on the Boardwalk closes when it is cold.



UP NEXT: Lunch...De La Chefs Boyaredee PG 38, POST 558

 

[Tanya90210]

Epcot to yourself.... that sounds soooooo nice!

 

[DisneyJo]

Missed it by hours. 2.5 in fact. So what to do, what to do.

Wow that was a long nap

In MN, when it is in the 30’s in Mid-winter, it feels like Spring, yes you read that right.

England too We all get our shorts on at the first sight of the sun

They had form fitted pj’s under their pants, long sleeved t-shirts layered under Disney sweatshirts and jean jackets.

Could they move?

At 8:30 P.M. there was just enough people to make a full voyage.

Wow that's awesome

Nothing was going to stop us from getting some photo’s of our Kiddos in France, by the fountain.

Cute photo and all alone too

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That must have been very nice to have a practically empty Epcot. I love that you went out in the cold. I would have done the same thing! I am from Canada though and everybody knows it snows here all year round and we live in igloos so we are used to the cold

That is too bad that World Showcase was shut down, that must have been very disappointing.

 

[Marion]

Do I ever know what you mean there! Where I am we generally get our first snow around Halloween and it doesn't melt til sometime in April. January and February are often sprinkled with days in the -30c's (this past Feb we had 3 days in a row with windchills at -50c ) Anyway, what that means is those first gorgeous days in April when the temps creep over zero, off comes all the heavy duty winter gear! I think that's why I love spring the best... it's definitely a time of rebirth.... and we all feel like we're bursting out of the cocoon

Having the park to yourself must have been an awesome feeling

It is not uncommon to see people roaming without jackets, enjoying winter for all pit’s glories. My DH & Lil’l Diz love warm days in the 30’s to go skiing. They too take part in going jacketless.

 

[princessjv]

Epcot to yourself.... that sounds soooooo nice!

England too We all get our shorts on at the first sight of the sun

I know when spring hits I am always shocked just how warm it feels outside...when it is all of 40 degrees.

That is too bad that World Showcase was shut down, that must have been very disappointing.

My dh was not too happy! He was really looking forward to enjoying some foods, as he ate around the world. They should really be more clear with that. I guess I have never attempted WS during EMH's, so we were unaware. When we entered the CM's told us that the park was open until 11...go figure.

Having the park to yourself must have been an awesome feeling

It was great! But if we heard 1 more person tell us how crazy we were... It was seriously nuts. Every time we even passed someone they commented. Really it wasn't too bad...even for no northern climate people.

 

[momoftriplets]

I......totally.......agree......on all of your Minnesotan comments!! That is us!!! That is WHO WE ARE!!!! (Hey - didn't we just have - like- a bazillion 90+ degree days this summer?)

Loved the pic of kiddos in front of the fountain. I had to laugh, because I know the "Layered" look.

Have a great day sending Lil Diz off to Kindergarten. I can't believe my babies are going into 5th grade!!!! Truly - I demand a recount!!!! Where does the time go?

Can't wait to hear more.

Barb

 

[acourtwdw]

Loved the latest installment. I agree that cold weather days sometimes are the best. In MI 30 in Feb is warm. We start pulling out the warm weather clothes. Can't wait to read more.

How is your mom?

 

[princessjv]

I......totally.......agree......on all of your Minnesotan comments!! That is us!!! That is WHO WE ARE!!!! (Hey - didn't we just have - like- a bazillion 90+ degree days this summer?)


Have a great day sending Lil Diz off to Kindergarten. I can't believe my babies are going into 5th grade!!!! Truly - I demand a recount!!!! Where does the time go?

I am so sad that my almost 6 year old BABY, who I jsut gave birth tooooo....like yesterday... Is leaving me everyday! All Day... ohhh what am I to do? I will miss him sooo much!


AND YES...what is up with the heat? We went for a K conference today and I sat in the room sweating like a pig... NO AIR in the school...

Loved the latest installment. I agree that cold weather days sometimes are the best. In MI 30 in Feb is warm. We start pulling out the warm weather clothes. Can't wait to read more.

How is your mom?

Us, Cold weather climiteer's!

'Mom' is the same. Sadly she is not at a great place...but she is still us! Thanks so much for asking!





On another sad, sad, SAD NOTE, we received this email from a wife of one of my DH's bestest Fraternity brothers...

...We were shocked to learn this week that I have been diagnosed with cancer. It's a large sarcoma on the right side of my abdomen...Making all this even more difficult and heartbreaking (on top of the general scariness of having cancer) is that I am 10 weeks pregnant with our second baby. We don't know if the baby will survive the surgery.

She is undergoing surgery to try to remove this tumor. They have a DS who turned 1 not too long ago. I am just so very sad...They all are beautiful people... I could never ever imagine the scariness that this is causing...woow...it is just horrible.

I feel like a taboo...I need bad things to stop happening all around me.

 

[Goofyluver]

Jen...I am at a loss for words. Sometimes it seems that when it rains, it pours. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your friends and family. We are all here for you. Oh...and one more of these:

 

[momoftriplets]

Oh, sweetie........ PM me your address so I can come give you a hug IRL. YOU NEED IT!!!! SOOOOOOO sorry about all the sadness around you. Can't even imagine what your friends are going through. Don't know what else to say..... It's time for you to be strong for everyong else right know & that can be so hard, can't it? Be sure to take care of yourself during these trying times, too, OK!! Sending positive thoughts your way. Hang in there & keep us posted on everyone.

Barb

 

[acourtwdw]

From MI

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That is terrible news about your friend. Hopefully their family will receive a miracle and the surgery will be a success and she will be able to continue on with a safe pregnancy.

 

[DisneyJo]

Ohhh Jen I'm so sorry

 

[princessjv]

A last minute lunch

I woke up this morning feeling a bit like I needed to keep sleeping. I had that funny feeling in the back of my throat. My body was feeling tired and my head…ohhh my head, felt like I joined in a couple of ‘Trips Around the world’ like back in my younger sorority years…much younger. When we would tour our favorite fraternity house and play a game of what was called drinking around the world. Each room would have a different drink. Each drink Represented a country. We were given a passport upon entering the frat house, which was to be stamped at every country after you drank the designated beverage. Your goal was to fill your passport to win a prize. What was the prize? A well deserved gigantic hangover. After all if you drank that much liquor you did deserve to deal with the consequence.

So I was feeling like a dump truck hit me. But I was not suffering from too many Lapu’s. I was indeed suffering from what I will call a WDW Overdose. We had been touring and touring. Until the day before, my commando ways had not allowed for a break…of any kind. Sure we headed back everyday to nap our kinder. But until yesterday I had not napped myself. My body was feeling it. It ached with hate. It hated me for what I had done to it.


So when the phone rang it’s wake up ring, I rolled over and pulled the covers over my head, then let out an awhhhhwhhh. I could only think…Just 10 more minutes. How about 20? Make that 3 hours!


I needed sleep. My body was telling me it needed sleep. Whilst my brain was pulling me out of bed, telling me to hop to it. After all we only had 2 more days of fun left.



Yikes! 2 more days!


“Everyone Up!”


“We have people to see and places to yet explore”.



But my body was just no going to move at the pace that my mind wanted it to. Period!


DH, being the great man he is got the kids ready, whilst I took my time, slowly purdying up myself. My head was throbbing and my throat was soarin…and not over Cali either.

Before we left the room, I called dinning to see if there was a chance that we could get an ADR for lunch at Chef de Francois, A.K.A. Chef Boyaredee in my book. We had missed our last night ADR at Spoodles, which made us up 2 extra TS meals (remember waaay back when we didn’t get charged for our meal at LeCellier? Just wanna make sure you’re all paying attention…good, now carry on).


Well lo and behold they did! They had a noon ressie and we were the happy recipients of it! Well, at least my DH was happy. Chefs de la boyaredee being one of his ALL TIME favorite places, to eat in WDW, and all. Mostly for the ambiance and NOT for the food IMHO, but he would never ever admit that one.


We got our grove on and our butts in gear and headed over dine with the Chef’s. We were moving slowly. Mostly because I just wasn’t up to par. The meal was not wonderful; as was the last time we ate there. This time it may have had to do with the fact that not only was my head pounding, but by the time my food arrived, my nose stuffed. I had the beginnings of a cold. Bummer! I tried so hard to stay healthy for the trip…just to get sick during the trip.

BOGO Alert:

I’m not sure what it is about dining at this restaurant. Both time we have eaten there, the food has not been of the highest of quality, but the service was of the snobbiest! It begins as you check in at the podium; there really is no magic there. The CM’s make you feel as if you should bow to them for even checking you in and seating you.

Despite the fact that we told the CM's at check in that we needed a highchair, it was not at our table. Upon being seated, it was like a felony to have brought a small child into this establishment. When we asked again, for a high chair, we were given a huff by the CM and she stormed off. Never to be seen again… Seriously.

We had to wait for our server to get the time to make it to our table. When he did, we again asked for a highchair. He did bring us one, but not before immediately asking IF we were on the dining plan? With our answer of, “Yes”, we were almost lectured as to just WHAT we were ALLOWED to order and WHAT we were NOT. That didn’t go over to well for me (you know the inner-self came out…the one who BITES). I was quick to correct the server, with the FACT that I am entitled to order ANYTHING on their menu, if I want. If I CHOOSE to order something not within the specifications of the Meal Plan, I have the right to pay OOP. PERIOD!


The menu selections were less than par (again IMHO)…just sayin…

My DH’s Started with the Cassolette d'escargots de Bourgogne au beurre persille…AKA snails in parsley and garlic butter

Tink was extra specially fond of this:

Then he went on to have the Filet de Saumon sur lit de pommes de terr ecrasees a l'anciennne, sauce vierge…AKA-Salmon on a bed of smashed yukon potatoes, olive oil, lime and fresh herbs.

I Started with - The Bisque de Homard…AKA-lobster bisque (I found only 2 pieces of lobster in my whole bowl bisque)

For my main course - Crepe Basquaise…AKA- A DRY Crepe filled with DRY smoked chicken strips, peppers and onions, grilled and served with a mixed salad (did I mention that it was Dry, Dry, Dry! With what little taste I had still at this point it had no flavor. I had my DH taste…just to make sure it wasn’t just me. It wasn’t)

Lil’l Diz had a cheeseburger and he didn’t eat it, not even a bite of it.

I ordered Chocolate Milk for both kids. Up until this point it was pretty customary that EVERY restaurant had given TINK a beverage and not charged us. I know, I know…she wasn’t officially on the dinning plan, but they said that she eats for free...so they’d give her milk. All of them, until this place that is. When we got our bill, as usual we were expecting to sign off on the meal. Nope, this time we had a separate charge for the MILK. It appears that the brown MILK at Chefies is not included. Should we have ordered WHITE MILK, it would have been OKAY, but not here. With a grumble, grumble we paid for our 2, 6 oz cups of VERY LIGHT Brown milks…$6…?

Oups, I almost forgot my favorite course, desert. Maybe I forgot, because it was no winner either?

At this point Tink decided to throw a fit and wanted some milk. For the simple fact that she had already devoured 2 sippy cups and if we let her, she would only drink liquids to fill her tummy…we decided no more milk. She didn’t like that idea and her head started shaking back and forth, while she screamed. Exorcist Child?!



As we left Chef de la la-la’s my DH, suggested that maybe NEXT TIME we would have a better meal. WHAT? There is going to be a next time? Man, this guy will not give it up. 2 terrible meals and he still feel’s the need to sit in ‘France’ and be tortured with a crappy meal and service. Go Figure!


Everyone was pooped out after the torture lunch. Mommy was feeling like yuck even more and Tink with her temper tantrum was proof that she was fixin for a nap. So back we went to rest up. We had a big date that night. Everyone, and I mean everyone needed to be rested and ready to go!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Awww man , sick and a bad lunch experience. I hope the day improves for you.

 

[DisneyJo]

Oh no sounds terrible I can remember going there when I was young and the waiter made a huge point of letting my Dad know that service was not included and went on to tell him exactly how much my Dad should tip, needless to say my Dad did not like this and hardly left him anything, served him right