Secret Slushies and Secret Doors

[PoppyGirl]

Secret Slushies & Secret Doors: Skater & PoppyGirl's Sensational 2013 Epcot Food and Wine (but mostly food) Exploits​

Hello and Welcome to our very first joint PTR. I'm PoppyGirl. Skater is my BFF. She will weigh in with her own comments shortly.

We are planning our Sensational 2013 Epcot Food and Wine (but mostly food) Exploits and we'd like to share our schemes (plotting, planning, ideas, dreams) with our readers. Skater has wanted to go to F&W FOREVER. She loves Disney. In fact, she's the whole reason I'm addicted to Disney. Seriously. We've been friends for about 20 years. Oh my gosh...all of a sudden I feel so old. But I digress.....we've been friends for a SUPER long time. She has this great family and they would go to Disney every September and then she would always talk about how fun it was. Honestly I had no interest in going at all. Disney schmisney. Whatever. But then (dramatic pause) I had children. And my children were at the magical ages of 8 and 5. And suddenly I convinced my DH that we should take our kids for that "once in a lifetime" trip to Disney World. Skater was more than happy to answer my kabillion questions and to help me plan an amazing trip. I seriously must have called her every day 10 times a day for like a year.

What I did not count on was that I would become completely enamored with Disney. As you can see from my signature, I've been back over and over and over and last September I even became at Disney Travel Agent. SUPER fun job! I love my job I love my job I love my job!

Skater and I were lucky enough to get to take a Girls Only trip a few years back. We had THE. BEST. TIME. We travel really well together. (Read: She gets MY neuroses.....I get HER neuroses. And really, what more can you ask for in a BFF than that they understand and accept your nuttiness?)

PoppyGirl and Skater



THEN a couple years later, both of our sons qualified for the same competition in ORLANDO. (WOOT WOOT! ) Our plotting went into high gear and we arranged to take the boys and fit in a trip to Disney. Again, we had a great time.

But wait....there's more! It gets better! A couple years after that, we started talking about how both of us wanted to take our DD's on a mother/daughter trip.....so why not do it together? We ended up not staying together that trip, but we met up a few times and had some meals together. But we both really wanted another girls only trip with just the two of us.

I think it was for my birthday this year in January that we met up for breakfast at iHop and Skater gave me this awesome cookbook from F&W with all the recipes to "taste your way around the world." (seriously? that sounds amazing!) We spent half our time at breakfast dreaming about how fun it would be to go to F&W together. She's known me for a long time, but I think she still doesn't really understand this about me....I don't have a very good boundary between "wishing" and "doing." If we talk about doing it, you might as well book your flight.

Here's my super cool F&W cookbook from Skater:

DD and I were at Disney in February and there was this awesome bounceback offer in the room so I just took the bull by the horns and booked a trip for F&W! Then I called Skater and told her I was going. (I didn't want to ASSUME that she was coming with me.....but I was pretty sure that she wouldn't be able to resist!)

OK, so now you know sort of how this trip came to be. I guess Skater can tell her side.....

Here's a little about me:



I am married (DH is a dairy farmer) and have 2 step-sons (31 and 27) and 2 children (13 and 10). My DD loves kittehs (and yes, that is spelled correctly!) as much as I do and so we have lots of them on the farm. At our house we have 1 indoor doggie, 2 indoor kittehs, 2 calves, 2 ducks, 10 ducklings, 3 rabbits, and 13 outside kittehs.

Here's my DD feeding Hey There and Delilah, our two calves.


Mocha Latte


Boo


Dara


I am a licensed psychologist (private practice), Creative Memories scrapbooking/album consultant, Disney Travel Agent and part time help for the farm. All my different jobs balance each other out--the fun and creative with the more serious and heavy.

For fun I love Disney, photography, scrapbooking, cooking (especially baking), Doctor Who (if the Tardis ever shows up in my back yard, I'm ready!), and most recently, Downton Abbey (but don't tell me anything because I'm still only on season 1!!).

Favorite Disney Park: Epcot
Favorite Ride: Soarin'
Favorite Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge
Favorite Restaurant: Boma (although my experience at Jiko last time was pretty amazing....)
Favorite Disney Moment: When the music for Wishes starts to play. I cry every time!

So, that's me...and that's my story so far....future installments will include the meaning behind our title. Read along! We'd love to have you.

 

[PoppyGirl]

Oh yes....we're not only dreaming of Food and Wine...we're dreaming of being SUPER close to the magic. What we really mean by "close to the magic" is "close to the food." We want to be able to walk to the food. (Is there an eating smiley?)

So guess where we get to stay. Go on. Guess. Alright...it's YACHT CLUB!!!! WHOO HOO!

We are so excited to stay here! I cannot wait to try out the pool. We can walk to the International Gateway at Epcot....try out some of the food booths....have a fluffy drink....walk back to our resort and relax here:

Pure happiness.

 

[PoppyGirl]

Just booked our return flight!!! We've been waiting for flight prices to be under $100...or hopefully under $80....but we got Southwest for our return for $99. Hoping the flights down will go on sale at some point. It's real!!! I never feel like the trip is real until we purchase airfare.

 

[Alysa]

Poppy! You started a new trip report! Hurrah! My favourite DISBoard Whovian!
Congrats on the Yacht Club (so beautiful!) and cheap southwest flights! Looking forward to reading more and meeting Skater!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Alysa! You found me! Yes, I'm so excited about this trip. I just wish it could be longer!!!

Skater is a disboards whovian too. You're going to love her! In fact, she's the reason for most of my addictions now that I think about it..... I wonder what that says about our friendship.

 

[wiigirl]

In!

 

[PoppyGirl]

WHOO HOO! We have readers! And they aren't just ourselves! People like us! Welcome Alysa & wiigirl. Thanks for joining us.

One time when I was in grad school my friend's "sort of" boyfriend was at my house (a bunch of friends were over) and I saw him looking in my full length mirror in the hallway and heard him say, "Chicks dig me" with this totally smug attitude. So, just to be clear, I'm not being smug like dear old JCF, but I am that we have readers! (Ever have that moment when you think "no one will read this...." and you notice that there were 83 views to your thread (79 of which were your own, checking to see if anyone commented but no one did) and no comments?)

OK....so moving on.

I'm singing this little song in my head:
Where is skater
where is skater
I don't know
I don't know
Could she be too busy
Could she be too busy
Not for Disney
Not for Disney

If she doesn't post soon, I'm just going to start telling you stuff about her. But for now I'll just post another picture (bwahahahaha)

skater meets Minnie




And if she STILL doesn't post, I have ONE photo that I can hold over her.....

 

[skater]

All right all right. Whatever that photo is, please don't post it (at least without letting me see it first ).

I haven't yet mastered the art of posting photos on the DIS though I've read all the instructions multiple times . I think I need to go to poppygirl's house for a tutorial .

I have a husband and 3 kids I'll be leaving for this "secret" trip. They all sort of know about it, but I don't say a word around them. That way I can pretend I'm not abandoning them/leaving them behind/going to Disney without them. They are ages 11, 15, and 18. The 11 year old will probably be a little upset when we go, but somehow I'll manage the guilt .

I love the "secret" theme. Ever since I read the idea to dump the slushies/frozen margaritas into refillable mugs (over on the Yacht Club thread), I've been enthralled with this. Now I know why all those people I used to think were foolish, carry their mugs to the parks!! I've been fantasizing about carrying my margarita onto Spaceship Earth or Living with the Land. Bad thing is, I'll probably have to pee by the end of the ride .

The only problem with this trip is that its going to be very very hard to go to Disney and stay somewhere like POP ever again . I'll be dreaming about Yacht Club forever!

 

[PoppyGirl]

skater lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so relieved. All of our readers were thinking I was just some nut who made up a best friend. (well, all TWO of our readers) And I wasn't sure after I saw that photo of the hail at your house this morning.

She's real people! I am not yet desperate enough to make up a best friend or take random photos of some stranger to post on my PTR so you THINK I have friends.

So....we live in Maryland. Cold and dreary in the winter. Hot and humid in the summer. Today was super stormy. Rain, thunder, lightening, hail! But it really gave me pause when I passed a snowplow on the way to my office this morning. What?? Is there something they aren't telling us?

And yes, come on over anytime for a DISphoto tutorial. You know how I love to tell other people what to do. It's my spiritual gift.

So anyway....let's talk about what we've been dreaming about for this F&W trip.
1. Food.
2. Epcot resort. Specifically Yacht club.
3. Food.
4. Be Our Guest
5. Special F&W events (specifically the 3D dessert party and the Chocolate discovery).

And guess what! Yesterday they finally announced the schedule for some of these events. After months and months of me clicking on the link only to discover that it was STILL taking me to 2012. I can't tell you how many times I e-mailed skater all excited and sent her the link for the date we can book, only to realize that it was for 2012. Seriously. More than once.

And even better, the two things we really wanted are both offered on our dates!

Oh and skater I think you need to explain the whole secret door thing. It's in the title after all.

 

[skater]

Poppygirl doesn't know that I have another secret. One that involves hoarding Disney gift cards for a surprise for my husband. One that will involve her help at some point .

 

[Li Li]

Count me in as your third reader! And sweet mother of god, I am totally using the refillable mugs for alcoholic slushy drinks! GENIUS!!

 

[Alysa]

I have a husband and 3 kids I'll be leaving for this "secret" trip. They all sort of know about it, but I don't say a word around them. That way I can pretend I'm not abandoning them/leaving them behind/going to Disney without them. They are ages 11, 15, and 18. The 11 year old will probably be a little upset when we go, but somehow I'll manage the guilt .
I love the "secret" theme. Ever since I read the idea to dump the slushies/frozen margaritas into refillable mugs (over on the Yacht Club thread), I've been enthralled with this. Now I know why all those people I used to think were foolish, carry their mugs to the parks!! I've been fantasizing about carrying my margarita onto Spaceship Earth or Living with the Land. Bad thing is, I'll probably have to pee by the end of the ride .
The only problem with this trip is that its going to be very very hard to go to Disney and stay somewhere like POP ever again . I'll be dreaming about Yacht Club forever!

Hi Skater! It's lovely they are letting you go! So nice to have a girls trip!
What a great idea about the mugs! I'm totally trying that!
I agree it is so hard to go back once you stay somewhere lovely. I remember my aunt calling me from the All-Star once when they came a day early and couldn't get the extra night at the BW. Her: "Lys, they don't have hair dryers!" Me: "It's okay, come over here and use mine." Her: "No Lys, you don't understand. They don't have HAIRDRYERS!!!!"

skater lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so relieved. All of our readers were thinking I was just some nut who made up a best friend. (well, all TWO of our readers) And I wasn't sure after I saw that photo of the hail at your house this morning.
She's real people! I am not yet desperate enough to make up a best friend or take random photos of some stranger to post on my PTR so you THINK I have friends.
So....we live in Maryland. Cold and dreary in the winter. Hot and humid in the summer. Today was super stormy. Rain, thunder, lightening, hail! But it really gave me pause when I passed a snowplow on the way to my office this morning. What?? Is there something they aren't telling us?
And yes, come on over anytime for a DISphoto tutorial. You know how I love to tell other people what to do. It's my spiritual gift.
So anyway....let's talk about what we've been dreaming about for this F&W trip.
1. Food.
2. Epcot resort. Specifically Yacht club.
3. Food.
4. Be Our Guest
5. Special F&W events (specifically the 3D dessert party and the Chocolate discovery).
And guess what! Yesterday they finally announced the schedule for some of these events. After months and months of me clicking on the link only to discover that it was STILL taking me to 2012. I can't tell you how many times I e-mailed skater all excited and sent her the link for the date we can book, only to realize that it was for 2012. Seriously. More than once.
And even better, the two things we really wanted are both offered on our dates!
Oh and skater I think you need to explain the whole secret door thing. It's in the title after all.

OOooooooo - BoG - I am so excited to go! And what are the 3D dessert party and the Chocolate discovery? They sound heavenly!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Poppygirl doesn't know that I have another secret. One that involves hoarding Disney gift cards for a surprise for my husband. One that will involve her help at some point .

Well, NOW I know! I mean I don't FULLY know. But I know! What are you planning?!?!? I'm so curious now!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Count me in as your third reader! And sweet mother of god, I am totally using the refillable mugs for alcoholic slushy drinks! GENIUS!!

LiLi welcome to our PTR!!!! We're so happy to have you aboard! Really! You have no idea how happy we are to have you as a reader!

Hi Skater! It's lovely they are letting you go! So nice to have a girls trip!
What a great idea about the mugs! I'm totally trying that!
I agree it is so hard to go back once you stay somewhere lovely. I remember my aunt calling me from the All-Star once when they came a day early and couldn't get the extra night at the BW. Her: "Lys, they don't have hair dryers!" Me: "It's okay, come over here and use mine." Her: "No Lys, you don't understand. They don't have HAIRDRYERS!!!!"


OOooooooo - BoG - I am so excited to go! And what are the 3D dessert party and the Chocolate discovery? They sound heavenly!

Oh no....skater is spreading her evil plans!!

OK, so I need to tell you a little story about my friend skater. We always TALK about "drinking around the world". But the truth is, we are both TOTAL lightweights. When we did our girls only trip a few years ago she had these big plans to do a wine flight in France. (I have photos!!) Three teeny tiny glasses of wine. She was a goner! So yeah....I'll believe that secret slushy in the Disney mug when I see it. She'll be falling asleep in Spaceship earth!!

We will tell you all about 3D dessert party! It's going to be GLORIOUS!! /
Disney's Dessert Discovery
What's not to like? Disney (like) Dessert (super like) Discovery (sounds exciting!)
It's a ticketed event at Epcot. skater wants the "sweet seats" where you pay a little more and get in early and get guaranteed seats, a special drink and dessert.

There is music, stations where they have different desserts and appetizers and drinks lalalalala! I'm getting so excited!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Alysa, I forgot to comment about Be Our Guest. I was fortunate enough to score a reservation with DD on our February trip and it was AMAZING. Lunch AND dinner there were on my "must do" list for this trip. I really wanted skater to have the experience of eating there! The day our 180+10 window opened we were both on the phone trying to get reservations. skater was victorious and scored reservations for BOTH Friday and Saturday because we weren't sure which night the 3D Dessert party would be offered.

 

[Alysa]

And sweet mother of god, I am totally using the refillable mugs for alcoholic slushy drinks! GENIUS!!

OK, so I need to tell you a little story about my friend skater. We always TALK about "drinking around the world". But the truth is, we are both TOTAL lightweights. When we did our girls only trip a few years ago she had these big plans to do a wine flight in France. (I have photos!!) Three teeny tiny glasses of wine. She was a goner! So yeah....I'll believe that secret slushy in the Disney mug when I see it. She'll be falling asleep in Spaceship earth!!
We will tell you all about 3D dessert party! It's going to be GLORIOUS!! /
Disney's Dessert Discovery
What's not to like? Disney (like) Dessert (super like) Discovery (sounds exciting!)
It's a ticketed event at Epcot. skater wants the "sweet seats" where you pay a little more and get in early and get guaranteed seats, a special drink and dessert.

There is music, stations where they have different desserts and appetizers and drinks lalalalala! I'm getting so excited!

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That's hysterical about the wine in France. That was like me on our wine pairing in France. We took one of those Seine cruises and Harold had to carry me home over his shoulder down the Champs Elysee. Actually, the same thing happened again at Victoria and Albert and I fell asleep in the lobby after the dinner, totally sloshed. "Can't hold her liquor." The 3D party sounds heavenly!

Alysa, I forgot to comment about Be Our Guest. I was fortunate enough to score a reservation with DD on our February trip and it was AMAZING. Lunch AND dinner there were on my "must do" list for this trip. I really wanted skater to have the experience of eating there! The day our 180+10 window opened we were both on the phone trying to get reservations. skater was victorious and scored reservations for BOTH Friday and Saturday because we weren't sure which night the 3D Dessert party would be offered.

B and the B is one of my favourite Disney movies. I can't wait! Know what I am most excited about - seeing the characters there. And the gorgeous dining room. And I know he is at his tavern but Gaston sounds hysterical too!

 

[PoppyGirl]

That's hysterical about the wine in France. That was like me on our wine pairing in France. We took one of those Seine cruises and Harold had to carry me home over his shoulder down the Champs Elysee. Actually, the same thing happened again at Victoria and Albert and I fell asleep in the lobby after the dinner, totally sloshed. "Can't hold her liquor." The 3D party sounds heavenly!


B and the B is one of my favourite Disney movies. I can't wait! Know what I am most excited about - seeing the characters there. And the gorgeous dining room. And I know he is at his tavern but Gaston sounds hysterical too!

Alysa you crack me up!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I had caffeine at 3:30 this afternoon....aaaaannnnndddd I'm still up.

So, I'm planning. Poor skater. She's going to have 100 e-mails from me in the morning. WHY is she sleeping?!?!

I'm looking at room location maps for our resort and trying to pick out locations to request. We are booked in a garden view at Yacht Club. There aren't very many garden view rooms but I'm hoping for at least a view of the gazebo.

By now I'm sure you're thinking, "why did she title this entry "CHEEEEEESE!"? Right? Because apparently at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival there are these glorious events called "Cheese Seminars." WHAT pray tell is a cheese seminar? A SEMINAR about CHEESE in which a cheese master (yes, really!) presents a seminar about different types of cheese and how to pair them with wine! I ask you, WHAT is not to love about that? Taste the cheese.....drink the wine....

Now if I can just convince skater that what we need is some wine and cheese.

(Did you count how many times I used the word "cheese" in this post?)

 

[PoppyGirl]

Ever have that experience where your Disney vacation simply cannot arrive soon enough??

To say the last few days have been trying would be an understatement. And right now I'm toying with the idea of extending our trip.....of course I might want to discuss this with skater. How does 2 weeks sound?

 

[skater]

My life has been sort of sucky lately, so an extended Disney trip sounds okay . Not sure what my family would say though, but that's what "boiling the frog" is for. I'm the expert at it.