"She's Looking at Food Pictures Again!" A February Family Vacation! COMPLETE 8/14

[aspiringprincess1]

Just got done reading through your TR! So fun! The pizza you had looks DELICIOUS! I'm craving it now!! I'm definitely subbing so I can stay on top of your trip now! can't wait to see what else you did!!

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Just got done reading through your TR! So fun! The pizza you had looks DELICIOUS! I'm craving it now!! I'm definitely subbing so I can stay on top of your trip now! can't wait to see what else you did!!

Yay I'm glad you're reading along! That pizza was SO good!! Yum I wish I had some right now too! Thanks for being here ​

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Saw a link to this on your last TR, so I decided to check out this one. It sounds like a very different experience from your last trip. I've been on a family trip and a "friends" trip so I understand the difference as you probably noticed, the trips being back to back (well close anyways). And the funny thing is, I was down there the same time as you for this trip with friends, no family at all (Chorus & Band trip), but I think it was near the end of your trip that I was there. I think the 24th, 25th and 26th were the dates we were there the same time. I find that pretty cool Haha Now moving on from that... those foodie pictures from Via Napoli are making me hungry! I've heard some great reviews about that place so I may have to check it out the next time I'm down there. What exactly are those Zeppoles things? They looked like donuts from your picture, but I just didn't see too much. I'm glad I'm not the only one who really enjoys Spaceship Earth. Nobody is ever a big fan, but I really like it. I have the results I made sent to my email and saved in a special folder. I love looking at them! Well... can't wait to read more! Update soon!

 

[nessz79]

I'm here! Great style of writing for your trip report- fun to read .

I can so relate to the half the family is "Meh" about Disney and the other half is gung-ho about it. My DH could take or leave it, but does it because I love Disney so much.

Looking forward to more!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

We're eating at Via Napoli when we go down to Disney in 3 weeks and I just had to go re-read that section and look at your food pictures! I can't wait to eat one of those pizzas!

 

[bellebookworm9]

I'm joining in this one too! I have to laugh at you getting up at your "Oh the things we do for Disney" in reference to getting up so early. Our flight *leaves* at 6am. I have no idea what I was thinking when I booked that!

This winter has been awful, and now we have this fantastic rain that just will not go away. My mom kept saying to me all winter long, "Do we have to wait until October? Can't we just go now? Beach Club Villas look so pretty and I don't want to wait!" I also hate cold weather, and plan on moving to Florida, hopefully for grad school next year!

Old Key West is really pretty and the villa is gorgeous! It's creeping up towards the top of my "places to stay" list, along with Wilderness Lodge Villas. The big pro in my mind is that it's the only DVC resort where the studios have 2 queen size beds.

I'm with you: I love getting to the parks early. We made rope drop almost every day that we planned to on our trip last year, and it's so awesome to be in the park before everyone else. We barely waited for anything!

I'm excited to see all the rest of your dining plans. It's one of my favorite things about Disney too. I'm learning how to cook this summer, and there's a whole "Disney Recipe" forum here that I'm making a cookbook from. I'm super excited!

Can't wait for another update.

 

[xoktenox]

We were in building #41, which was near Turtle Point. Ummm I think the bus stops went.... Peninsular, South Point, Turtle Pond, Carousel, and Hospitality House. I think. Someone correct me if I'm wrong haha. And no problem anytime Glad I can help!​

Thank you! I'm very torn as to where I want to request since that resort is just huge!

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Chapter 7 - Crystal Palace
February 20th, 2011

Dad and Jonathan finally came waltzing into the Magic Kingdom, so Mother and I went to go meet up with them at Casey's. Jonathan and I went to go get Space Mountain Fastpasses really fast, and then we met up with our parents.

We headed over to Crystal Palace about 15 minutes early for our 10:15 reservation. We were seated rather quickly, and our table was in the left side of the restaurant (when you're looking in from the front doors). This was a first for me because I am ALWAYS seated in the right side room. I actually liked this new side though. It gave me a different experience!

I LOVE that buffet!! It seriously has the best breakfast food. I wish I could go there on every trip, even though it's not my family's number one choice. We've just been there so many times. I guess I just never get sick of it!

I got the Pooh's Puffed French Toast, Bacon, Eggs, Breakfast Pizza, Yogurt with Berries, and a Butter Croissant! I loved it all except for the bacon. It's really dry and thin. I don't understand why Bacon is one of the few things that Disney can not master.

Here's my plate! (like the hidden mickey? hehe)

And here are Jonathan's plates:

We all felt like the meal was nice and relaxing, so that was a good thing! My Dad likes to relax.

Piglet came around to our table first. He was ADORABLE.

Love this one!

Then Tigger was next. Tigger is my Dad's favorite! Dad almost missed him because, of course, Dad had to go get an omelet at that very moment right before Tigger came to our table. But thankfully, Dad got back in time.

I LOVE this picture of him and my Dad. It's like the cutest thing in the world.

Tigger was such a sweetheart. I would see him walking around when I got my food and he would always wave to me. What an angel!

After his visit, Pooh came by and we took pictures with him! I love him!

I look like a happy child.

Adorable!!

This picture of my family is one of my favorites of all time!

And lastly was Eeyore. It took him a little longer to come along, but not too bad at all.

I decided I loved that reservation time because it was nice and relaxed. By the end, all of the people were leaving and it was just really enjoyable.

Our table was against the front windows and that was the path of the characters.

So yay! Crystal Palace breakfast was a great choice!

Overview of Crystal Palace Dining Experience:
Order: Buffet
Rating: 5/5
Service: Good, but not the best of the trip. 3/5
Overall Experience: Very good! Good character interaction! They were very energetic and cute!
Overall Rating: 4/5
1st Visit?: No
Revisit?: I definitely would, but only for breakfast. Dad says he likes other places better, though.
Complaints: Just the bacon is really not good. But it's not just Crystal Palace. That's the same everywhere in Disney at most restaurants.

After Crystal Palace, we did a few more things in the Magic Kingdom. We headed to Tomorrowland, and on the way, a very momumental moment happened in my life.

THE TOMORROWLAND TERRACE NOODLE STATION WAS OPEN!

Yes, I know it was President's Day Week and all, but I was still shocked. Seeing this restaurant open is quite a sight!

We headed over to the PeopleMover and rode it. (I still dislike that new audio.)

Jon and I grabbed Fastpasses for Buzz Lightyear after that.

Then Dad and I went on SPLASH MOUNTAIN! It was now up and running! YAY! I seriously missed that ride so much! That was the first time I got to ride it in about a year and a half! We used our Fastpasses to bypass a 50 minute wait! Fastpasses are the best!

We sat in the third row and I was on the right. I only got my right side wet on the big drop. I feel like since they did that refurb in January, nobody gets wet anymore. Which kind of stinks. Because isn't that the point?

Anyway, after Splash Mountain, we met up with Mom and Jonathan at Casey's and left the park for an afternoon break. We were lucky enough to get right on the Old Key West bus.

But the luck ended right there. I put my feet up on the seat in the bus where no one was sitting, like I always do, and I hear an announcement "Please sit the CORRECT way on the bus for your own safety!!!" in a very snippy tone. This happened twice, both blatently obviously directed towards me. I have never had a problem with that before, and all I wanted to do was put my feet up so they would stop hurting. But whatever.

Then, when the bus pulled up to the stop, some people were going to enter the back door, and I heard "DO NOT ENTER THE BACK DOOR!! LET THE GUESTS ALREADY ON BOARD EXIT FIRST!!" Now, we didn't have to yell about it, did we? That was the crabbiest bus driver I have ever had! Don't work in Disney if you're gonna act like that.

We finally made it back to our room around 1 something for our afternoon break!

Continued in Next Post​

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

the breakfast looks really good!!! We liked the dinner in Oct but it wasn't our favorite meal. I'll have to try breakfast sometime!!! Bus drivers are hit and miss! I know because of the tons of bus accidents in the past few years, I'm sure they are extra cautious but you don't have to be mean about it!!! I guess they have bad days too haha.

 

[therussells08]

You breakfast at CP sounds great! All of the pictures with the characters are adorable! I love the one of your dad with Tigger and the one of the whole family!

UGH @ the crabby bus driver! I can't stand crabby Disney CMs. I know that sounds mean because they are people too and everyone has a bad day now and then, but still. Get a straw and suck it up, people! You work at Disney!

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Saw a link to this on your last TR, so I decided to check out this one. It sounds like a very different experience from your last trip. I've been on a family trip and a "friends" trip so I understand the difference as you probably noticed, the trips being back to back (well close anyways). And the funny thing is, I was down there the same time as you for this trip with friends, no family at all (Chorus & Band trip), but I think it was near the end of your trip that I was there. I think the 24th, 25th and 26th were the dates we were there the same time. I find that pretty cool Haha Now moving on from that... those foodie pictures from Via Napoli are making me hungry! I've heard some great reviews about that place so I may have to check it out the next time I'm down there. What exactly are those Zeppoles things? They looked like donuts from your picture, but I just didn't see too much. I'm glad I'm not the only one who really enjoys Spaceship Earth. Nobody is ever a big fan, but I really like it. I have the results I made sent to my email and saved in a special folder. I love looking at them! Well... can't wait to read more! Update soon!

Yes, it's definitely a different type of trip! But both of them were very fun!
Aww that's fun! Yeah you were there at the same time then! I wish I got to to go on a class trip to Disney! That would be awesome. But alas, my school did that once and it didn't go well so no more
Haha yes, Via Napoli is GREAT! You should go! Zeppoles are kind of like donut holes. Their technical description is "ricotta cheese fritters, served with whipped cream and chocolate sauce." All I know is that they were delicious!
Yeah, I like spaceship earth! It's so nice and relaxing!
And I updated today! I hope you like it!

I'm here! Great style of writing for your trip report- fun to read .

I can so relate to the half the family is "Meh" about Disney and the other half is gung-ho about it. My DH could take or leave it, but does it because I love Disney so much.

Looking forward to more!

Thank you so much!
And yes! I know sometimes I wish they were all crazy about it like me, but hey, if my mom is, then that's enough for me!

We're eating at Via Napoli when we go down to Disney in 3 weeks and I just had to go re-read that section and look at your food pictures! I can't wait to eat one of those pizzas!

YAY! I'm excited for you! That's going to be fantastic! I love Via Napoli!

I'm joining in this one too! I have to laugh at you getting up at your "Oh the things we do for Disney" in reference to getting up so early. Our flight *leaves* at 6am. I have no idea what I was thinking when I booked that!

This winter has been awful, and now we have this fantastic rain that just will not go away. My mom kept saying to me all winter long, "Do we have to wait until October? Can't we just go now? Beach Club Villas look so pretty and I don't want to wait!" I also hate cold weather, and plan on moving to Florida, hopefully for grad school next year!

Old Key West is really pretty and the villa is gorgeous! It's creeping up towards the top of my "places to stay" list, along with Wilderness Lodge Villas. The big pro in my mind is that it's the only DVC resort where the studios have 2 queen size beds.

I'm with you: I love getting to the parks early. We made rope drop almost every day that we planned to on our trip last year, and it's so awesome to be in the park before everyone else. We barely waited for anything!

I'm excited to see all the rest of your dining plans. It's one of my favorite things about Disney too. I'm learning how to cook this summer, and there's a whole "Disney Recipe" forum here that I'm making a cookbook from. I'm super excited!

Can't wait for another update.

Yay! Thanks for being here!
I know! Those early flights are crazy! But they're a lot of fun! Because you're pumped up on adrenaline for the first day or two because YOU'RE IN DISNEY WORLD! It's a fun experience.
And oh, I know. The weather has been TERRIBLE! Last week was nice, but that's about it! It started raining once prom was over, and it hasn't stopped! And this week's supposed to be bad too! I wish I was going to Florida, as well. This is just no fun!
And aww yes, I hope you get to stay there someday soon! Wilderness Lodge is actually amazing though too! That's one of my favorites of all time!
Yes, early park time is the BEST! When I go for Christmas this year, I'm going to have to go really early and really late if i want to do anything! Because it's gonna be craziness!
Yes, I love sharing the restaurant reviews! There are lots more to come! And oh my gosh I didn't even know about that forum! I need to go find it!

Thank you! I'm very torn as to where I want to request since that resort is just huge!

I really liked Turtle Pond... it was right in the middle! The Hospitality House is probably your best bet, but it's hard to get there. I wouldn't reccomend Peninsular... You'd probably just end up walking to Hospitality House anyway because the bus ride around the resort takes FOREVER.

the breakfast looks really good!!! We liked the dinner in Oct but it wasn't our favorite meal. I'll have to try breakfast sometime!!! Bus drivers are hit and miss! I know because of the tons of bus accidents in the past few years, I'm sure they are extra cautious but you don't have to be mean about it!!! I guess they have bad days too haha.

It was fantastic! Yeah, I agree about dinner. Decent, but nothing fantastic. And yeah, I know. Oh well. Hopefully I'll get better bus drivers in the future!

You breakfast at CP sounds great! All of the pictures with the characters are adorable! I love the one of your dad with Tigger and the one of the whole family!

UGH @ the crabby bus driver! I can't stand crabby Disney CMs. I know that sounds mean because they are people too and everyone has a bad day now and then, but still. Get a straw and suck it up, people! You work at Disney!

Aww thank you!
And ugh I know. I tried to tell myself that too. But just because I'm a guest doesn't mean you should yell at me! Oh well. He was probably going through a rough time. ​

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Looks like Crystal Palace was a fun time! That was my first character meal ever, but we went there for dinner not breakfast. The dinner was pretty good, not like other meals I had over the trip, but it was nice (we never had a breakfast from CSs or TSs that trip) And the character interaction there is awesome (except when cheerleaders decide they want to hog Tigger. GRRR...) I must go there for breakfast sometime it looked really good. Then, you get to see the unthinkable with the Noodle Station opened! That thing is NEVER opened. I just don't get that restaurant, at all. *shakes head* I also don't get the change in audio. I'm one of few on here who never heard the original, but I was searching for the Tom Morrow part on my most recent trip and it wasn't there Aside from that,you get to go on Splash Mountain! <3 that ride As I said earlier, I was down around the same time as you and when we went Splash Mountain was having all kinds of technical difficulties, so I'm guessing it wasn't working its best at the time. There was actually a point, where the water wasn't running down the drop. There seemed to be a lot of adjusting, though... I actually got a lot more wet than the other times I've been on it when I went and I went on it A LOT my first trip, generally first or second row. It may have been the weight of the boat you were in too, I've noticed that changes things. :/ That bus driver was definitely really snappy with you guys. I've had a few of those, but that one was just mean. I'm surprised Disney didn't fire her on the spot. Its a magical HAPPY place, not "I hate my life and I'll thrust out my anger on all of you" *shakes head* Not cool... Well at least you got to the resort fine I can't wait to read more! Update soon!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I want to wake up and go to a Disney breakfast!! (Maybe I will get a Mickey head cookie cutter and change the shape of dh's kashi waffles to make him smile in the summer. He leaves for work before dds and I get up.)

Love the pics at CP! Stinks about the bus driver...were your folks annoyed? I can only imagine if that driver has to drive my nine year olds---they bounce around like Tigger - all.the.time.

Dh and I were shocked to see Noodle Station almost open when we were there at the end of Jan! (The windows were open and the lights were on. They must have been preparing for your trip!

 

[basketkat]

We love Crystal Palace too! And I totally agree about Disney bacon...something just isn't fabulous about it.

I'm so glad you got to finally go on Splash Mountain...yeah for fastpasses!!!!

And that is super cool that the TOMORROWLAND TERRACE NOODLE STATION WAS OPEN! I've never seen it open....fun fun!

 

[mermaid764]

Ahh how much your pictures have made me miss Crystal Palace, we absolutely loved it for dinner and your pictures have me definitely wanting to try it for Breakfast soon.

Yay for the Noodle Station being open, I can't believe you didn't document the moment with a photo lol.

Yikes about that bus driver, that's not the service anyone wants at disney

Can't wait to hear more

 

[xoktenox]

The CP breakfast looks sooooo yummy!! I'm glad you reviewed it now because we're trying it there for the first time on 6/8 I hope we have a great experience like you did!

Love the family picture, you all look sooo happy

Sounds like a really good morning overall at the MK...oh and p.s. is your hair naturally curly like that? I love it!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay we are eating at CP and I can't wait after seeing your review. The food looks yummy!

I love all the pics with the characters - question, how do you tell if these characters have switched places?!

Wow on Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle station being open - that is def a shocker!!

I'm glad you got to go on Splash but what was the deal with that bus driver?! You are right - some people do not deserve to work for Disney.

 

[broadwaybookworm]

After lurking at the Port Report, I decided to post here. Your TRs are awesome!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Mmmmm I LOVE Crystal Palace for breakfast.

It has the BEST food!

I can't wait for my ADR there in July! 69 days!!!!!!!

And your character pics are SO CUTE. I LOVE that family.

The Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station being open IS a monumental thing. I appreciate it. It was only open once that I can remember, over 4th of July weekend, and I went. But I don't remember it too well or what I ate because I was like 10 years old. But oh well. At least I know I've experienced it when it wasn't in lurkdom!

SPLASH MOUNTAIN!!!!!!!!! OMG. I miss that ride so much that it is absolutely the FIRST order of business on our first park day in July. I have made that QUITE clear. I hope I sit in the front or close to the front so I actually get wet though.

Wahh about the crabby bus drivers. I always like sprawl out on the buses when they're pretty empty. I've never had a problem...that guy must have been having a rough day. But then again is that possible in Disney??

Can't wait for moreeee!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

SPLASH MOUNTAIN!!!!!!!!! OMG. I miss that ride so much that it is absolutely the FIRST order of business on our first park day in July. I have made that QUITE clear. I hope I sit in the front or close to the front so I actually get wet though.

I was down there the same time and Splash was having some technical difficulties for awhile, but when it was working properly I was wet for a while, longer than my first trip so I don't think you have to worry, though the front row is the best row Just wanted to note this.