Snow White Does the Creep on the Trip that Almost Wasn't A Dec 11/Jan 12 TR 7/24 NEW

[IheartDDuck]

How awesome that you had a DIS meet. I definitely want to have more of them, as I've sadly only had one so far. I need to get on the ball.

Wow, you guys hit MK hard. That is so much fun when the park is basically empty. Although I have to say, I've never had something like that happen on Big Thunder before either. Score for not having to go wait in line again.

 

[therussells08]

Yup, I'll eventually do a Disneymoon TR! I also have a trip from April that I can write about as well. My plan is to finish my super old TR first though. Haha, don't want to leave anything unfinished.

What a great DIS meet! In my eyes, I see it as a celebrity meeting a celebrity, haha, when you and Jess met.

Sounds like a super fun EMH! Only later in that time period did Howard and I get on Buzz Lightyear over and over again without any wait. It took a while for people to clear out of the park, but I'm so glad we waited because MK EMH was probably the most fun I'll ever have considering I probably won't ever stay on property again. It's so awesome that you were able to get all those rides in!

YAY! I can't wait to read your new TRs, and I'm so glad you're finishing your old one! I love your reports!

Aww thank you! Haha you're so sweet! It was really great meeting her! I love DIS meets!

We had a great night during those EMH! I'm glad you enjoyed getting to stay on property and take advantage of EMH! They're so great!

Wow, I got REALLY behind on this TR. Sorry Joni... I was writing epic essays and such for my English teacher (seriously, she said a historical fiction I wrote made her cry and I got an A on it ), but now I'm done with that and have a ton of DISTime and caught up.

Wow, looks like your trip has gone along very well since I last read about it lol I'm so jealous of you and Jess, I need a DISMeet soon (DESPERATELY)! I wants to meet some of you people because then I won't have to hold my DISer inside. Anyways, glad you guys had a good meet!

I will promise to have a nice long comment your next update, rushing to get back up to speed on my long list of TRs, but I can't wait to read more!

That's okay! I'm so glad you were doing homework, especially for English class. Wow, I'd love to read your essay!

It was a really great trip, and meeting Jess was one of the best parts! Haha it is always fun having a DIS meet because you know that person totally gets you and your Disney obsession!

No worries! Welcome back!

Love your evening at MK!

The DisMeet sounds wonderful and your EMH sound like so much fun! I don't know that I would ever make it till 3am after having been at DHS at open! I tend to plan all early mornings which leads to no Evening EMH!

Thank you! It was a lot of fun!

It was a great DIS meet, and we were so productive at MK that night! We were SO tired by the time we got back, though! I know what you mean, we usually struggle with the late night EMH!

How awesome that you had a DIS meet. I definitely want to have more of them, as I've sadly only had one so far. I need to get on the ball.

Wow, you guys hit MK hard. That is so much fun when the park is basically empty. Although I have to say, I've never had something like that happen on Big Thunder before either. Score for not having to go wait in line again.

Don't worry, I've only had two! They are so fun though!

We really did! We were so productive that night. That had never happened to me on a ride before then! Honestly, it seemed like the CMs really just didn't give a crap anymore. I guess that's what happens when you have to work until 3am!

 

[rachel09985]

Okay let me just say I'm so excited you're reading my TR! I have been stalking the dining boards the last few days, and just last night I read all of your dining reports! They're great!

Aww that's so cool that we have a lot in common! It would be so awesome if our trips overlapped someday and we could meet up!

Thanks! We are huge Dexter fanatics. What did you think of the end of last season with Deb? I keep wondering where they'll go with that...I am so excited!

Thanks again for reading along! I'm glad you're here!

That is ironic that you just read my dining reports. I really need to start doing trip reports but I think I would be boring.

That would be fun if they overlapped. We normally go in October/November/December so I will keep in touch and see if they every overlap.

I am excited too about Dexter. I forgot about the ending until you mentioned it.

Have fun on your next trip! It sounds like it it will be a blast.

 

[therussells08]

That is ironic that you just read my dining reports. I really need to start doing trip reports but I think I would be boring.

That would be fun if they overlapped. We normally go in October/November/December so I will keep in touch and see if they every overlap.

I am excited too about Dexter. I forgot about the ending until you mentioned it.

Have fun on your next trip! It sounds like it it will be a blast.

Haha that is really ironic! I loved your dining reports! You should do trip reports! I'm sure they wouldn't be boring, you have a great writing style!

We go in December pretty often, so hopefully that would work! That would be so cool!

I am so excited too! They've started releasing teaser trailers for the next season already!

Thank you! We are so excited!

 

[therussells08]

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all doing well. I wanted to do a little life/PTR update, even though I know what I really need to be doing is an actual TR update. Hey, I’m down to 17days. I can’t help myself. I’m pumped.

So, let’s do the life update first, because I’m super excited about. Are you ready? Are you sure?

I GOT A NEW CAR. Where's that little driving smiley...ah. There he is.

Heck yes. I’m so happy about it. Allow me to explain. In 2009 after I graduated college, I made my first big-girl purchase and bought a 2010 Honda CR-V. My neighbor had one and I thought they were gorgeous, so as soon as I knew I had a job and could pay for it, I bought one.

Fast forward two and a half years, to about a month ago. I started realizing that maybe my decision to buy an SUV wasn’t exactly the brightest choice I’ve ever made. I was getting pretty crummy gas mileage, and my payments were through the roof. Plus, I literally had no use for all that space. I have no children, and it’s not like I regularly haul large objects. John has a 2010 Toyota Tacoma, so between gas going into my car and his AND two big car payments, like half of my paycheck was going toward our cars. I considered trading my CR-V in, but then I got lazy and forgot about it.

Fast forward again to two days ago. Because I am a walking disaster, I basically drove my car straight into a brick wall. Oops. Well, to be more specific, I dragged the side of my car down said brick wall, and tore that baby up. I was so upset, and I went yesterday to get estimates to have it fixed. The damage was around $1000, and my deductible on my insurance is $500. UGH. So my mom suggested, “Why not see about trading it in and let them fix it?”

So, long story short (except not really, sorry about that) I went today to see about trading in my CR-V. I got a great deal, they estimated a lower cost on the damage, my payments went down, I got a better interest rate, and now I’m the proud owner of…

A 2012 Honda Civic!

Isn’t she loooovely? Isn’t she wooonderful? It’s hard to tell, but it’s kind of a silvery blue color and I LOVE IT. It’s such a better size, and it gets WAY better gas mileage. I’m so happy!

Sorry for rambling about my car, but it kind of pertains to our Disney trip because I will be taking it to Disney World in 17 days, so yeah. We’ve come full circle here.

Oh, and check out my license tag!

My life is Disney. It’s a fact.

So anyway, that’s that. YAY ME.

Okay, moving on. We’re down to almost two weeks until this trip, so I need to start getting it together. I have done very little in the way of preparation, and I realized that today and started to freak out a little bit. I changed our ADRs around a little bit (AGAIN) and cancelled our breakfast at Rainforest Café and our lunch at T-Rex, and changed it to just a lunch at Rainforest Café. I really wanted to keep T-Rex, but we have eaten there like our last four trips so I think we need a break.

My mom got clearance from her heart doctor today, and he told her she is free to ride all of the rides! I feel like I was very vague when I told you all about my mom’s “health issues” in earlier posts, so let me not be so cryptic. Basically my mom has a heart defect and she had to have open heart surgery when I was 10. They replaced her aortic valve with a mechanical valve, so it’s something that has to be monitored closely. I was really nervous her cardiologist would say she couldn’t ride some things, specifically Rock’n Roller Coaster, but he said she’s good to go! YAY!

I don’t really have any other news right now, but I did do a little bit of shopping a few weeks ago for the trip, so I figured I would share that. I bought myself and John a shirt using the 2 for $28 deal on Disneystore.com. Unfortunately since my purchase my shirt has been marked down to $9.99. Oh well. Anyway, I got John an Avengers shirt which I have no interest in so I won’t post a picture, and I got myself this!

It’s super cute, and I was thinking I would wear it when my mom and I eat at CRT!

Okay, that’s all I have for now. Sorry about the total randomness of this update. I will be back with another PTR update in 8 days, when it’s time to do that oh-so-special dance that we love so much. YAY!

Let’s see if I can write a TR update now…

 

[therussells08]

Hi everyone! Don’t miss the PTR update I posted just before this post…it’s got some pretty exciting news! It's on the previous page if you passed it!

Alright, it’s time for our last full day in Disney! Here we go!

As I’m sure you can imagine, after staying up until about 4am the previous night, John and I were in no rush to jump out of bed the next morning. I’m pretty sure we finally got up around 9:30, and then we took our sweet time getting ready. It was our last full day in Disney, but to be honest, we were TIRED. Plus, John was still feeling kind of sick from the head cold he had been enduring earlier in the week.

We finally managed to drag ourselves out of our room at around 11:00, and we started making our way to Epcot. If you remember from earlier in this TR, we had an ADR for lunch at Le Cellier on this day. I had considered canceling it since we had our surprise dinner there earlier in the week, but we both agreed that meal had been so good that we just had to go again.

It is so amazing the difference a day makes during the busy season at Disney. As I’m sure you can imagine, most people who were there for Christmas and New Years were probably heading home either on the first or the second of January, and Epcot was almost complete empty! It was crazy! I wish so badly that we could take our vacations during the slow season, but it just never works out with our schedule. *Sigh* Teacher problems.

Our lunch ADR was at 12:00 so we really didn’t have time for any rides or anything, but it was a beautiful day so we took our time getting to Le Cellier!

It was so warm and sunny! A perfect day to spend wandering the World Showcase!

We finally made it to Le Cellier and checked in right on time. We were seated immediately, and this time we were much further in the restaurant at one of those half booths/half tables. It was so cozy, and I immediately snagged the booth side. I prefer booths over tables so much, but John likes tables so he can stretch his Gumby legs out, so we both won!

I apologize, but I don’t have any food pictures from this meal. The reason I don’t is because we both ordered literally the exact same thing we had at dinner earlier in the week! We split a bowl of cheddar cheese soup, I had the filet, John had the New York strip, and we ordered a side of poutine fries again. Everything was just as delicious as it was the first time, except for the poutine fries. When we ate there for the dinner the fries were thin and crispy, the cheese was like cheese curds, and the gravy was a very dark gravy that was almost like a broth. This time the fries were big thick steak fries, the cheese was liquid, and the gravy was a thick sausage-like gravy. They were still good, but I definitely preferred the dinner version of the poutine!

One thing I was super excited to discover about lunch at Le Cellier, however, was that I could get the chocolate moose for dessert!

So, you would think that it would be enough that the chocolate moose is freaking adorable, but it’s also INSANELY DELICIOUS. Seriously, like one of the best desserts I’ve ever had at Disney. The mousse is cold and delicious and the perfect consistency. The chocolate it’s covered in reminds me of Oreo crumbs, and the little cookies that are his ears and tongue are super yummy! I was so happy with this dessert! I can’t wait to have it again next month!

While we were eating I noticed a woman eating alone at the table next to me. She ordered a huge meal, with an appetizer, entrée, and dessert, and I noticed that she was taking very detailed notes in this big notebook. I am a rubber-neckin’ Southerner by nature, so I also couldn’t help but notice that she had a list of ADRs that was at least thirty restaurants long! I was really impressed, and I thought she might be some kind of food blogger or something. I was tempted to ask her, but about two seconds later I heard her complain about her food to the waiter so I decided she might not be up for a conversation. If she is a food blogger I hope she gave Le Cellier a good review, because it’s AWESOME.

After we stuffed ourselves silly (again) we settled our bill and said goodbye to Le Cellier. This has definitely become a tradition for us, and I don’t think we’ll be able to miss it on any of our trips!

Up Next: Adventures and new discoveries in the World Showcase! Stay tuned!

 

[monica23535]

I have had the exact same lunch as you every time I've been to Le Cellier

We are giving it a miss this time round and I'm still not too sure I can deal with that

I love your new car - it is awesome!!!

 

[chica622]

That Chocolate Moose looks so yummy. After reading your update I checked for a lunch Le Cellier ADR for our December trip, and I got one!!! I was so happy because my parents are coming with us and Le Cellier was on their list of places they want to eat.

 

[RachelNinja]

Yay for the new car! My family has an older CR-V, and it's the car I'm comfortable driving because I like sititng higher up. Unfortunately, now that I'm out of the house, that's not "my" car anymore. It wouldn't make sense for Howard and me to have one right now because like you, we don't need the space. We're gonna get an itty-bitty Subaru instead (my brother's old car; he's getting the CR-V because he drives longer distances for work, and it's newer than the Subaru). It must be so exciting to have a new car now! It's so sleek! You totally need to take a picture cheesing it up behind the wheel!

I hear ya on the teacher problems. I hope to one day make it to Disney during a slow season! I'd like to go in February but just not during Pres Week.

Yum, Le Cellier so delish! I had the thick fries version of the poutine. I'm curious to know how your lunch version tastes!

 

[stephielela]

Yay for the new car!! That's really exciting, and I totally agree about the gas mileage etc. I really want a Nissan Rogue which is a small crossover/suv thing but I'm debating the practicality... We shall see!

I love Le Cellier! I wonder if that lady was a food critic. That would be an awesome job, except I'm kind of a picky eater...

 

[stimmons]

I just bought this shirt too!!!!!

 

[marDgreen88]

AHHH OMG!!! I totally did not see this coming! You new car is beautiful! LOVE the Tinkerbell! This is where I say that I'm a little jealous of yall from NC. One of my college roommates/best friends lives in NC and she had a cute thing for her front plate too, but here in Virginia we have to have our license plates on the back AND front. I don't know why. Anyways... congrats, Joni!!!

Ohh, I meant to ask you about the T-Rex/Rainforest thing when you listed your ADRs! I remember talking to you on twitter about it haha. VOLCANOOOOO!

Your shirt is precious. CRT would be the perfect place to wear it! Omg. I'm honestly thinking I'll leave this comment now because it's already super long. I don't want to overwhelm you... yep. I'm gonna do it. Please see the comment (possibly) below this one.

 

[marDgreen88]

YAY for Le Cellier... AGAIN!

Epcot is just so gorgeous. Whenever I see pics like these I always have to remind myself that it is a THEME PARK. It's unbelievable.

How weird that the poutine fries are so different between lunch and dinner and everything else stays the same! I would think a side dish would be a minor detail but hmm... weird!

The chocolate moose is seriously the cutest and most creative thing! Ahhh I can't wait to get it!

 

[saintstickets]

I GOT A NEW CAR. Where's that little driving smiley...ah. There he is.

Yeah!

Oh, and check out my license tag!

Double Yeah!!

My mom got clearance from her heart doctor today, and he told her she is free to ride all of the rides!

Biggest Yeah of all !!!!!

I am a rubber-neckin’ Southerner by nature, so I also couldn’t help but notice

WHEW! I thought I was the only one! Glad to know there are others out there!

 

[therussells08]

I have had the exact same lunch as you every time I've been to Le Cellier

We are giving it a miss this time round and I'm still not too sure I can deal with that

I love your new car - it is awesome!!!

Haha that's so cool! That really is the best meal, isn't it?

Oh no! Well, that means on your next trip you will be even more excited to eat there!

Thank you! I'm really happy with it!

That Chocolate Moose looks so yummy. After reading your update I checked for a lunch Le Cellier ADR for our December trip, and I got one!!! I was so happy because my parents are coming with us and Le Cellier was on their list of places they want to eat.

YAY! I'm so glad you were able to get an ADR for December! You are going to love it! It's amazing!!

Yay for the new car! My family has an older CR-V, and it's the car I'm comfortable driving because I like sititng higher up. Unfortunately, now that I'm out of the house, that's not "my" car anymore. It wouldn't make sense for Howard and me to have one right now because like you, we don't need the space. We're gonna get an itty-bitty Subaru instead (my brother's old car; he's getting the CR-V because he drives longer distances for work, and it's newer than the Subaru). It must be so exciting to have a new car now! It's so sleek! You totally need to take a picture cheesing it up behind the wheel!

I hear ya on the teacher problems. I hope to one day make it to Disney during a slow season! I'd like to go in February but just not during Pres Week.

Yum, Le Cellier so delish! I had the thick fries version of the poutine. I'm curious to know how your lunch version tastes!

I really liked my CR-V, and I enjoyed sitting up higher like you said, but I had to get something with better gas mileage, so I'm thrilled about the Civic! It sounds like that Subaru will be great for you guys!

Haha I will have to take a picture like that! Good idea!

I want so badly to go to Disney in September or October, but I worry it will never work out with my schedule.

Le Cellier is SO good! The other poutine fries were better in my opinion, but mostly it's because I liked the gravy better.

 

[therussells08]

Yay for the new car!! That's really exciting, and I totally agree about the gas mileage etc. I really want a Nissan Rogue which is a small crossover/suv thing but I'm debating the practicality... We shall see!

I love Le Cellier! I wonder if that lady was a food critic. That would be an awesome job, except I'm kind of a picky eater...

Thanks! I'm really happy with it! That sounds like a good idea...you should do it!

That really would be a great job, but I eat so much I think people would find no value in my reviews, because I'd just say that everything was delicious!

I just bought this shirt too!!!!!

That's so cool! Isn't it cute?

AHHH OMG!!! I totally did not see this coming! You new car is beautiful! LOVE the Tinkerbell! This is where I say that I'm a little jealous of yall from NC. One of my college roommates/best friends lives in NC and she had a cute thing for her front plate too, but here in Virginia we have to have our license plates on the back AND front. I don't know why. Anyways... congrats, Joni!!!

Ohh, I meant to ask you about the T-Rex/Rainforest thing when you listed your ADRs! I remember talking to you on twitter about it haha. VOLCANOOOOO!

Your shirt is precious. CRT would be the perfect place to wear it! Omg. I'm honestly thinking I'll leave this comment now because it's already super long. I don't want to overwhelm you... yep. I'm gonna do it. Please see the comment (possibly) below this one.

Thank you!! I'm so happy with it! I didn't know that about Virginia...hmm, I wonder why they're so strict about it?

Haha yeah I decided to stick with the original plan you and I talked about. I need that VOLCANOOOOO!

Thank you! I'm excited to wear it!

YAY! Two comments in a row from you...my dreams are coming true!

YAY for Le Cellier... AGAIN!

Epcot is just so gorgeous. Whenever I see pics like these I always have to remind myself that it is a THEME PARK. It's unbelievable.

How weird that the poutine fries are so different between lunch and dinner and everything else stays the same! I would think a side dish would be a minor detail but hmm... weird!

The chocolate moose is seriously the cutest and most creative thing! Ahhh I can't wait to get it!

I love that place! I could seriously eat there once a week. Or more.

I know, seriously. It is so hard to believe the difference between Disney theme parks and other theme parks. It's insane.

I was really confused by those fries too. I wish they would make them the same all day, but I guess the lunch version is just a cheaper version.

It's SO GOOD too! You're going to love it! Hmm...which means you're eating at Le Cellier...which means at least one of my guesses was correct...

Yeah!


Double Yeah!!


Biggest Yeah of all !!!!!


WHEW! I thought I was the only one! Glad to know there are others out there!

Haha thank you for all your support!

Oh no, definitely not. I'm terrible about it! We're from the South, it's in our blood!

 

[Nermel9]

Omg yay for your new car!!! I have the same one, but it's a 2008! Looks pretty much the same though, I love it, I'm hoping to keep it for many more years!

I'm so glad your mom can go on all of the rides with you! You're going to have such a great time!

AHHHH Le Cellier again!! So in love with that restaurant! I have to try those fries, they sound fantastic! Either version!

Yay my chocolate moose!!! Now you understand my obsession!

 

[cindianne320]

Love your new car- Congrats!

And so exciting that your mom got clearance to ride everything!!!

DROOL! That mousse looks so yummy! I can't wait to eat there for our next trip!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Ooohhh, purty purty car! I love it! Good choice, and I completely understand getting something with better gas mileage.

Dude, don't worry about scraping it down the wall. I backed into the house once out of the garage. No joke.

Mmmm, chocolate moose. I don't think there's anything else dessert wise that you should order at Le Cellier.

I think we were at DHS on this day. I think it was not crowded for you guys because they were all at DHS with us.

 

[marDgreen88]

YAY! Two comments in a row from you...my dreams are coming true!

It's SO GOOD too! You're going to love it! Hmm...which means you're eating at Le Cellier...which means at least one of my guesses was correct...

HAHAHA Joni, you are too kind!

I'm glad you caught that!! YEP! Cannot wait!