That Pirate Stole My Tiara: The Pre-Trip Report

[mbcary]

I have been lurking this trip report for a very, very long time. So glad to see you back! Can't wait for more! You crack me up giirrll!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Tink! Glad you made it back this way. I noticed you checking out Zzub's new diggs (no#4) and was hoping you'd resurrect this post. Looking forward to seeing how it ends.

 

[KittyKat08]

Really enjoying your TR, aside from the rude children you had a run in with everything seems great. I can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip.

 

[Disneyfan71]

I've enjoyed reading your TR...sorry about the getting sick part. But glad you had a good time as well.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I have been lurking this trip report for a very, very long time. So glad to see you back! Can't wait for more! You crack me up giirrll!

Woohoo! I've outed another lurker!

Tink! Glad you made it back this way. I noticed you checking out Zzub's new diggs (no#4) and was hoping you'd resurrect this post. Looking forward to seeing how it ends.

Post resurrected. (NONightoftheLivingDead)

Really enjoying your TR, aside from the rude children you had a run in with everything seems great. I can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip.

Funny that, the further away from the trip I get the less I think about the rude kiddos. Must be the Disney magic.

I've enjoyed reading your TR...sorry about the getting sick part. But glad you had a good time as well.

Getting sick was all part of the "magic". LOL

Ladies and gents!
I completed a task the likes of which might kill a lesser DISer!
Yesterday I reviewed all 1,384 pictures taken on this trip! Not including the 117 Photopass pictures. (OK, really there was only, like, 33 originals, but I went border-crazy!)
It was a nice way to reacquaint myself with this TR. I found some pics I'd forgotten I had and, I'm proud to say, my true DIS geek came shining (NOREDRUM) on through:
*I have pictures for LL's light fixture thread
*I have pictures for the food porn thread
In addition, my obsessive-compulsive organizational side reared it's ugly head and the pictures are organized in folders by day and further by parts of the day (i.e. my morning walk, breakfast, MK, so on and so forth). I'm not sure why I can't be obsessive-compulsive about keeping my closet that organized but that's another story for another day (or another therapy appointment), I suppose.

You should see the next chapter up sometime this week. I'm excited to write it and my last task before doing so in full is to reread what I've written so far so that I can get back into the "flow".

Stay tuned!
Coming up next:

Chp 7: No Canadian Bathrooms Were Harmed in the Making of this Chapter!

 

[AshClan]

Welcome back, my Boston Libra friend! Happy to have your witty musings to read during my otherwise-boring lunch hour!

Carp, incidentally, is a Maelstromism (which is yet another newly created term ). So yeah, you probably saw it on La's TR or Z's TR-that-was or one of Mel's many unfinished ones. Haley and I use it more than most. It DOES come in very handy! And is so much nicer than the word-from-which-it-originated (NO#4. Again)

So get some of those pictures up, k? Can't wait to read more!!

 

[ZZUB]

It's been a long time since I've read an update on here. Got two read during lunch. I really enjoy your child-like wonder and excitement. Fortunately for me, I got to read your "getting to the room" chapter today. I love that moment. Best part of a Disney vacation. And your description didn't disappoint.

However, this demands a rebuttal:

Somewhere around the middle of the hallway I passed an excessively hairy balding guy in big boy shorts with massive guns napping in a chair in an alcove formed by the room doors.

I hushed Missy so she wouldn't wake ZZUB.

I am NOT excessively hairy and I would most likely not be found in a hallway at the Polynesian. If I'm there, I'm in the GCH wiping Tonga Toast off my chin or begging my cousin at Ohana for more banana bread pudding.

Write on McDuff.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

So, the next chapter is just about done, but before I post it, I wanted to share with you some pictures that I'd wanted to post from my morning walk on Day 2 and earlier in the day in Epicot.

Enjoy!

This is how foggy it was when I stepped out for my morning walk. But don't let the gray fool you. Hu.Mid.

These dudes weren't phased.

Moisture forming on the camera lens.

One of my favorite pics from that morning's walk.

Home Sweet Home.

Won't you be my neighbor?

The Living Seas.

These eels were freaky, breathing in time and acting like they were 3 heads on one body.

We didn't realize this was a fish until it moved and we both yelped and pointed. Then we giggled and clapped. Nope. Doesn't take much.

Ooooooh. Poison-y.

Journey Into Some Wacked-Out, Un-Fun Imagineer's Imagination.

Down is up.

Look! It's TK's favoritest soda ever!

Just a heads up. Missy's bringin' sexy back. But she forgot her receipt.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Carp, incidentally, is a Maelstromism

Also to be added - monorail (verb): to take the monorail somewhere
E.g. We're going to be late for our Tonga Toast ADR. Wanna monorail it?

I really enjoy your child-like wonder and excitement.

Hey. Childlike is a full time job.

If I'm there, I'm in the GCH wiping Tonga Toast off my chin

Ohhhhh. It was YOU I handed my napkin to. Good to have met ya.

 

[creativeamanda]

Tink, Awesome report! It is so nice to live through others' trips vicariously while waiting on the next one, isn't it?

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

After smelling the burning of Rome, watching the Sistine Chapel being painted and cat calling the chickypoo in the yellow leggings and miniskirt, we departed Spaceship Earth and headed out into the World. Showcase, that is.

It was a pretty hot day and as we walked down that main sidewalk, with the defunct Odyssey on our left (I ate there on my first trip!), kids were screaming and running around in the fountain play area on our right. It looked SO inviting. I lamented being 20 years too old to join in the fun.

We reached the Lagoon.

And turned left.

The hardly elusive "Nacho Birds". If you've ever ordered ANYTHING from the Cantina and sat at their tables, you know what I mean.

We were a bit early for dinner but it didn't matter. The longer we were on the trip, the longer we realized some of the time inbetween "doing stuff" was really fun. Funner. The funnest.

Missy's got a thing for Mayans.

And frogs.

I simply love these little wooden creatures. Just about everyone I talk to tells me how overpriced they are here and how I could buy them for so much less IN Mexico, but really, I'll be in Disney again before I'm in Mexico. And I just want one. Particularly this one:

And I like the jaguar as well:

Someday. ::sigh::

Please. No stories about all of the people who tried these hats on before us. At this point I've 100% convinced myself that not only did they all wash their hair but that they then sanitized the insides of the hats with Purell.

And yes, I agree, Missy took the better picture.

We wandered around the marketplace and contemplated buying some pretty silver jewelry. I glanced at the time, we were still too early to check in for our ADR at the San Angel Inn. So, we did the inevitable when standing in a replica of a nighttime Mexican marketplace.

We rode the Gran Fiesta Tour.
a.k.a. El Rio de Tiempo
a.k.a. El Rio de Sucko

I prefer the second one, myself. Much like the PeopleMover.

Anywho. If you've ridden the previous incarnation and have since ridden the, er, improved version, you know that...well, not much changed. In my opinon, the Three Caballeros haven't really added any...thing to the ride. And regardless of my undying love for a certain foul-tempered duck, nothing much there either. Truthfully, I think I would've rather have ridden the original. Much like Journey Into Your Imagination. That's just my two cents, which is worth exactly as much as you paid for it.

At that point we went to check in for our ADR. We were about 15 minutes early and they let us know at the podium that they were pretty much running on time and weren't seating early and gave us a pager.

Has anyone else noticed how the pagers look like tasers? I'm just sayin'.

I was the most nervous about this ADR after reading a fair share of poor reviews of this place. But it was a Must Do thing from my ultimate 'Must Be Done' Disney list that was done. Did.

It was here, while we were waiting, that we noticed another thing for the first time that would be a continued theme while in Epicot. At least 10 different parties approached the podium without an ADR. They were all promptly turned away. The CMs politely informed them that they were booked up for lunch and dinner for the entire week and that they could try Morocco, which was the only restaurant in Epicot that still had availability.

Finally our taser buzzed and we were brought in. We were led to the back left corner of the restaurant. We were one table in from the water. The volcano was smoking, people were enjoying the best part of their Gran Fiesta Tour (the beginning), and the atmosphere was just perfect. I'd expected that the restaurant would be noisy, but it actually wasn't overwhelming. Right next to us was a bussing station, which while I thought might be distracting, ended up serving us well. Never an empty soda cup. Also near another table of two girls from Massachusetts with whom we struck up conversation.

Mostly about the kids at the table behind them who kept slamming the backs of their chairs into the back of one of the girls' chairs. It was a table of about 37 and all the parents were clueless. Matter of fact, when they finally got up to leave, one of the fathers had his rear end practically in the girl's face as he moved to leave the table.

Our server brought us water and nachos with salsa while we perused the menus.
Mexican hidden Mickey?

We'd thought about starting our Drinkin' 'Round the World (Showcase) here in Mejico with a couple of Margaritas. But we passed. The Margaritas are made with Sauza tequila, which Missy doesn't like and honestly, the last time I drank tequila I got up close and personal with some cold bathroom tile.

On to the entrees.

I was looking for the one thing on the menu I'd seen prior to the trip that I knew I wanted. I believe it was called the Plato Mexicano. It was your typical Mexican fare - an enchilado, burrito, etc.

And it wasn't there.
I was kind of at a loss.
Which ultimately served me well, as I chose a different dish, we both did, in fact, which was probably one of the best of the whole trip.

Filete Motuleno - Grilled beef tenderloin with beans, Oaxaco melted cheese, Ranchero sauce, Pablano peppers, and fried plaintain.

I had been worried about the peppers, but figured I could pick them off.
I had been worried about the fried plaintain, it's a uber-mushy consistency thing.

An anticipatory bite.

O.
M.
G.

This dish was A-MAZING. The filet was so very good. I could practically cut it with the fork. The cut of meat was actually better than what I'd had at Citricos the night before. The melted cheese on top was mild and just enough. The sauce was spicy but not overpowering. And the plaintains were fried just right -still firm.

Missy enjoyed as well, and, with the exception of the peppers, I practically licked my plate clean. And Missy's. But we're professionals. We left room for dessert.

Missy got the flan (sorry for the blur).

I had Heaven on a Plate.
a.k.a. Can I have more of this?
a.k.a. Capirotada de Chocolate Blanco (white chocolate golden raisin bread pudding served with Mexican milk caramel).

At the risk of repeating myself,

O.
M.
G.

I didn't want this dessert to end. While I usually find bread pudding to be a little to mushy for my tastes, it was just moist enough and firm and delicioso.

Our meal ended far too soon (thankfully without destroying any Canadian bathrooms, coughcough) and we headed out into the early evening to drink our way from Norway to Canada.

(This picture is dedicated to Z. O Canada. You will never be the same.)

Up Next: Drinkin' 'Round the World (Showcase)!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great update! So glad you're back!

Aren't the birds at World Showcase out of control?

I'm certain that the opening/closing ritual at the Mexican pavilion involves purelling the insides of the hats so I'm sure you're safe.

SO glad you enjoyed dinner there! for passing on a margarita but I trust you will make up for it in the next installment where you drink from Norway to Canada.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Tink, Awesome report! It is so nice to live through others' trips vicariously while waiting on the next one, isn't it?

It is. Fuel for the daydreams.

Aren't the birds at World Showcase out of control?

I'm not really allowed to talk too much smack about the WS birds.
Because I once made a duck choke on a piece of popcorn.
He lived to tell about it, but those birds have my number.

for passing on a margarita but I trust you will make up for it in the next installment where you drink from Norway to Canada.

If you knew the full story about the last time I had tequila you wouldn't wonder why.

And yes, there was some drinking to follow. Germany...Italy...Japan...France...

 

[ZZUB]

That's just my two cents, which is worth exactly as much as you paid for it.

Where have I read that before? Hmmm. . . .

Evidently footnoting has gone the way of the Bush Administration.

Other than the clearly cripped line quoted above, I enjoyed this chapter. And the picture chapter right before it. But those chips look remarkably like Tostitos.

And for the last time, it wasn't Canada! It was the Outpost. Which is funnier!

 

[TarzansKat]

Look! It's TK's favoritest soda ever!

You know it, baby. Bring on the pirate.

cat calling the chickypoo in the yellow leggings and miniskirt

That's why she looked so upset in December.

It was a pretty hot day and as we walked down that main sidewalk, with the defunct Odyssey on our left (I ate there on my first trip!), kids were screaming and running around in the fountain play area on our right. It looked SO inviting. I lamented being 20 years too old to join in the fun.

I simply love these little wooden creatures. Just about everyone I talk to tells me how overpriced they are here and how I could buy them for so much less IN Mexico, but really, I'll be in Disney again before I'm in Mexico. And I just want one. Particularly this one:

That's beautiful. No joke. I loved looking at those in December. Totally forgot to post in my last chapter, but I really had to STEER my son away from those, I was so afraid he was going to break one!

Please. No stories about all of the people who tried these hats on before us. At this point I've 100% convinced myself that not only did they all wash their hair but that they then sanitized the insides of the hats with Purell.

Well, we did.

I had Heaven on a Plate.
a.k.a. Can I have more of this?
a.k.a. Capirotada de Chocolate Blanco (white chocolate golden raisin bread pudding served with Mexican milk caramel).

That. Looks. Amazing. And sounds pretty darn good, too.

Up Next: Drinkin' 'Round the World (Showcase)!

Can't wait!

Glad to have you back

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Where have I read that before? Hmmm. . . .

Evidently footnoting has gone the way of the Bush Administration.

Z, dude. While I do not contest your lingusitic brilliance, I proclaim it from the mountaintop, in fact, I do have to admit that you were not the first person I heard say this. And so that I do not look like a complete line-stealing DISer...

I'd first like to thank that kid Russ in my Latin class for sharing with me the aforementioned quote.
But.
More importantly.
I'd like to thank ZZUB for bringing it back to my mind.
Roll tide, my friend, roll tide.

But those chips look remarkably like Tostitos.

Yeah, the chips were meh. The salsa was good though.

That. Looks. Amazing. And sounds pretty darn good, too.

I'm wishing I could have it right now. ::sigh::

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey Tink! Great update! Loved the photos. Glad to hear your culinary exploration had a happy & tasty ending. If it tasted as good as it looked, there's now doubt you were doing the tickled tummy dance. (past the Canadian Outpost even)

 

[AshClan]

Hmmm, San Angel has never been on my list. I may need to reconsider

Love, love, loved the Poly morning pictorial. Ahh, to be there right now.....

And, yes, I unfortunately have to agree with you on El Rio del Sucko. It's even worse than it used to be. Give me Donald in Philharmagic over this annoying display anyday.

 

[PrincessV]

This is how foggy it was when I stepped out for my morning walk. But don't let the gray fool you. Hu.Mid.

Dude - that's FOG?!?! When I first saw it, I thought it had rained on your parade! I'm glad it didn't.

The hardly elusive "Nacho Birds". If you've ever ordered ANYTHING from the Cantina and sat at their tables, you know what I mean.

Even margaritas, TFI.

In my opinon, the Three Caballeros haven't really added any...thing to the ride.

I share your opinion, and...

...people were enjoying the best part of their Gran Fiesta Tour (the beginning),

That made me LOL! So true.


You've definitely bumped San Angel back onto MY Must-Dos-at-Disney list!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

If it tasted as good as it looked, there's now doubt you were doing the tickled tummy dance. (past the Canadian Outpost even)

It tasted better than it looked!
And to be truthful, as you'll see as the TR progresses, EVERY sitdown meal we had BLEW US AWAY...except one.

Hmmm, San Angel has never been on my list. I may need to reconsider

DO IT.

Sorry, sometimes I give over to my dark side, the enabling side.

Love, love, loved the Poly morning pictorial. Ahh, to be there right now.....

Understatement of the Day.

Dude - that's FOG?!?! When I first saw it, I thought it had rained on your parade! I'm glad it didn't.

What made it even crazier was how STILL everything was. No wind. For a while it was like someone just pressed the PAUSE button on the weather.

I share your opinion, and...

That made me LOL! So true.

Seriously, the set-up they do with El Rio de Sucko is like...just the worst letdown EVER.

I know SOME people might argue and say that Maelstrom is worse, but those people are just wrong. LOL

Unrelated but, I enjoy Maelstrom, honestly, when viewed as separate parts of a whole, not as a singular 13 second jaunt through space/time/history that ends with you being trapped in a fishing village.

You've definitely bumped San Angel back onto MY Must-Dos-at-Disney list!

I'm so glad.