The Mostly Very Merry Holiday/Bday Grand Gathering Update 4/6 Calf Grill

[scottny]

great update and pics.

Hey it's MeMom

it is so nice to take a slow walk around ws.

 

[janloz]

POOH!!!

Haha, its MeMom!

great update and pics.

Hey it's MeMom

it is so nice to take a slow walk around ws.

It was nice to meet MeMom, Jill and Brooklyn after reading all of their trip reports. They were so nice.

There will be many more photos of WS in upcoming days.

 

[MeMom]

POOH!!!

Haha, its MeMom!

great update and pics.

Hey it's MeMom

it is so nice to take a slow walk around ws.

And look what she's doing - taking pictures!

That little reunion was quite sweet. Older 'cool' brother threw up the peace sign, but it took him about ten seconds to follow his little sister when she ran to hug her grandparents, and he squeezed every bit as lovingly and tightly as she did!

Sarah, your mask looked great!
Mark, I hope your food was good!
You guys are very lucky to have so many people who love you so much! I could tell that all of your grandparents adore you!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Hi, I just came over to have a peek at MeMom.... Your pics are great, so I will go back and read your TR, if you don't mind another tag along.

 

[janloz]

Chapter 4: The surprise, Le Cellier and Epcot Decorations When we left off, I had just introduced MeMom, Jill & Brooklyn to my family and then we were waiting for my inlaws to arrive in Canada to surprise our kids. We say to the kids, "Hey I think I know those people over there!" and when they look it is my inlaws walking up. Here is the photo again.

Surprise can not begin to express the look on their faces. They didn't know if they were seeing things or if their grandparents were really standing in front of them. Finally, they realized it was real and ran over to them.

Before leaving, MeMom was nice enough to take a picture of all of us. Thanks so much.

We said our formal "hellos" and I tried to check in at Le Cellier for dinner. I was told that they were still running 20 minutes late. which is not what the kids wanted to hear after traveling all day. I explained to the hostess that my MIL is diabetic and needed to eat as close to the ADR time as possible (especially since she hadn't eaten well during the travel day). She did check with the manager but was not able to get us in earlier but did offer to get her some orange juice and pretzel bread to level out her blood sugar. Thank you very much for going out of your way.

I really wanted to request Patrick as a waiter since I had read so many good things about him and his service but didn't want to delay our meal any further. In hindsight, I should have. He was in the section next to ours and the difference between him and our CM Adam was very evident. Not that Adam was not good, but Patrick just seemed more friendly and enjoy what he was doing.

The restuarant was smaller then I thought it would be so now I know why the ADRs are so hard to get. It was decorated beautifully with Christmas decorations. (sorry, no pics) and we received the tables against the wall in the far left corner which was a quiter area.

Now the important stuff, the food. Since we are on the deluxe, we were entitled to app., entree and dessert with each meal.

DH: Caesar Salad, Mushroom Filet, Chocolate Moose
DS: Side of Mac & cheese, Mushroom Filet (no mushrooms & plain potatoes), Chocolate Moose, milk
Me: Caesar Salad, Mushroom Filet (no mushrooms, cheese potatoes), Maple Creme Brulee
DD: Carrot sticks, Pasta with just butter, Make your own sundae She also got the Tick Light up with her Milk

Tired DD and tink light =

The only food picture DH took. Sorry.

The basket of breads were wonderful as I had read. We quickly devoured them and asked for more. There were sour dough, pretzel and multigrain. Most of the group preferred the sourdough but I liked the pretzel.

I debated about getting the cheddar soup which my mom got and loved. but wanted to get dessert so I went with the salad which was very good, not too much dressing. DS didn't like any of the choices so he asked to get the side of macaroni & cheese for app. which he got but we were charged $3.49 and DD wanted just carrot sticks which was ok. All of the filets were cooked perfectly as ordered and were so tender that you could cut them with a butter knife. I really enjoyed the cream cheese potatoes but DH did not like the risotto. DS is just starting to enjoy steak and thought his filet was "great!" Pasta with butter is not hard to get right and since DD ate it all, it must have been good. We ordered 3 chocolate moose to share with the table, which was a good thing since DS ate almost all of his by himself. The maple creme brulee was wonderful, very smooth with just a hint of maple. Several in the group ordered coffee which is the typical Disney coffee but nice way to finish meal.

The total cost for the dinner for the 4 of us was $215.36 which include OOP cost of $4.99 for Light up tink, $3.49 for mac & cheese and $29.69 for tip. 4TS credits used.

We finished dinner about 8pm and didn't have the energy to stay up for Illuminations and since we were scheduled for Candlelight processional on Monday night we planned to see it then. We made our way to the International gateway and saw the amazing tree.

Then turned around to watch the gateway that was synchronized to the music.

We finished our night at Epcot admiring these unusual artistic wintery decorations.

We made our way to the bus stop #12 for Pop Century and to our rooms to find the ME had delivered our luggage. Threw the kids in the shower and lights out by 9:15pm.

For those who did read the PTR, I made the note cards below for each day so I wouldn't hear the constant "What are we doing today? When do we have to be where?" Everyone received Sunday's card prior to heading to our rooms.

Up next, will we make it to Crystal Palace before park opening????

 

[janloz]

Hi, I just came over to have a peek at MeMom.... Your pics are great, so I will go back and read your TR, if you don't mind another tag along.

Love to have you along for the trip. Welcome!!

 

[janloz]

And look what she's doing - taking pictures!

That little reunion was quite sweet. Older 'cool' brother threw up the peace sign, but it took him about ten seconds to follow his little sister when she ran to hug her grandparents, and he squeezed every bit as lovingly and tightly as she did!

Sarah, your mask looked great!
Mark, I hope your food was good!
You guys are very lucky to have so many people who love you so much! I could tell that all of your grandparents adore you!

I didn't say it was a full picture of you. You secret identity is still safe I think. Again, it was a pleasure meet you, Jill, Brooklyn & Julie.

Thank you for the kind words. Mark tries to be the cool guy but sometimes there is a crack in the armor. Mark & Sarah are very close with their grandparents, my inlaws only live about 3 miles away and get them Monday-Thursday from school and watch them until we finish work and my mom gets them on Fridays (she lives about 30 minutes away). They are very fortunate (as are we) that they can spend so much time with their grandparents and that they can watch the kids grow up. My dad passed when I was only 17 so he didn't get to see his grandkids so my mom especially treasures every moment with them.

 

[skhermsmeyer]

The Epcot pictures are beautiful! I'm glad you had such a good time.

Thanks for the food description @ Le Cellier. We're going one afternoon and I wasn't sure how it would be (DH's food choice). I'm looking forward to the soup.

Enjoying your TR!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

those Christmas tree and light pics are gorgeous.

I could not get into Le Cellier, they only had room for large parties and not 2 people. Oh well.

 

[mybabesuz]

Great Pictures...

I did feel a little deja vous...
I think I've read some of that before...
Just kidding... Great Report so far...

 

[katiebug86]

Hi I also came along to sneek a peak at MeMom! Those pictures of the Epcot lights are GORGEOUS. I can't wait to be there .. only 5 more days! I hope you don't mind another along for the ride.

 

[anbouk]

Another newbie checking in....for the ride! Love all the holiday photos, gearing myself up for planning our trip for X-mas 2009!

 

[dawnbu40]

I'm enjoying your trip report! We're headed there next week for our 3 genreration trip!

 

[Happy Elf]

Joining in! I saw that you had a picture of MeMom, so I had to check it out!
I have enjoyed what I have read so far and can't wait to hear more. What a nice surprise for your kids! It's nice that your kids grandparents can be so involved in their lives. We are lucky that one set of grandparents live close by, but the other set is about 1500 miles away.

 

[Sarilas]

Great to read about Le Cellier- I'm looking forward to our ADR there in February!

 

[janloz]

The Epcot pictures are beautiful! I'm glad you had such a good time.

Thanks for the food description @ Le Cellier. We're going one afternoon and I wasn't sure how it would be (DH's food choice). I'm looking forward to the soup.

Enjoying your TR!

We all really enjoyed it, it was probably our 2nd favorite to Calf. Grill. Enjoy!

great update and pics.

those Christmas tree and light pics are gorgeous.

I could not get into Le Cellier, they only had room for large parties and not 2 people. Oh well.

We are very happy with the quality of the pics from the new camera, the night shots are always to difficult to get that aren't blurry. Later in the report, there will be photos from Wishes and Holiday Wishes fireworks plus the icicle cover castle that are gorgeous. Try once you get to resort to see if they have any openings. I heard many people getting them through the conceirge.

Great Pictures...

I did feel a little deja vous...
I think I've read some of that before...
Just kidding... Great Report so far...

She is referring to my Dining report that I just cut/pasted into this one.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2029620

Hi I also came along to sneek a peak at MeMom! Those pictures of the Epcot lights are GORGEOUS. I can't wait to be there .. only 5 more days! I hope you don't mind another along for the ride.

They are incredible and actually change with the music. Also make a point of getting to Osborne Lights in HS. I will add photos of that soon. Have a great trip!

Another newbie checking in....for the ride! Love all the holiday photos, gearing myself up for planning our trip for X-mas 2009!

I'm enjoying your trip report! We're headed there next week for our 3 genreration trip!

One suggestion I have (from experience now ) plan on the seperate time for your family from the rest of the group. 24/7 together will be too much. Stay tuned for some examples.

Joining in! I saw that you had a picture of MeMom, so I had to check it out!
I have enjoyed what I have read so far and can't wait to hear more. What a nice surprise for your kids! It's nice that your kids grandparents can be so involved in their lives. We are lucky that one set of grandparents live close by, but the other set is about 1500 miles away.

Memom is such a celebrity. We are lucky that the kids get to spend time with them.

Great to read about Le Cellier- I'm looking forward to our ADR there in February!

It was a very nice way to start the vacation and we would definitely go back.

 

[janloz]

Chapter 5: Early Entry Breakfast at Crystal Palace and Holiday Decorations on Main Street: Get ready for alot of pics during this chapter. I downloaded 43 pics.

I had booked most of our ADRs at 7am on 180 day mark and the one for CP prior to park opening was one of the priorities so we could see Main St. with the Christmas decoration without huge crowds. As the plan was to meet by the pooling pin pool at 7:30am so we would have plenty of time to get to MK by bus, through security and take pics and get to ADR on time. Well, best laid plans....as we are ready to walk out the door, I can't find my Key to Kingdom card which Sarah used to open the room the night before. After 5 minutes of searching, I decided to just get another key at front desk. So after 10 mins waiting for new key, we get in line for the MK bus and we are off in a few minutes. We arrive at MK bus stop around 8:10am and still have to make it through bag check, turnstiles for early breakfast which I found odd that they never asked to confirm we had an ADR and finally get to Main St. WOW! The Christmas decorations are beautiful. So here starts the pics:

This display was set up near Flag pole at the end of Main St. Later in the week, this is where Regis and Kelly sit for parade taping. It was fenced off when we went to MVMCP since they were installing the MK christmas tree.

Town Hall

Fire House

Confectionary

Shops on Main St. in Christmas attire.

Lamp post decorations. So pretty.

Looking back from end of Main St. Got to love early entry. No crowds here.

Family Pics with handly anyone in the background.
We have some really nice ones on Photopass too which I will post when we get it.

 

[janloz]

Ran out of room for pics....

Still no crowds in sight. I have to say that Dave did a great job with these pics.

A friend waiting for breakfast too.

Show Sarah the camera and she is ready to pose.

Artsy pic.
Then it was time to go to:

at 8:40am. I was given the buzzer and then about 5 minutes later:

This is what greets you inside the door:

Some of my favorites!!

 

[heaven2dc]

Loved the surprise of the grandparents for the kids! That is one of those Disney moments you never forget

I can't wait to see all the Christmas decorations next week - heck tomorrow for that matter I'll be there in 18 hours - woohoo!

Am going to meet my first Diser this trip - she is bringing me a copy of the planning dvd that was back in 2005 (I believe) with Erin, Stacy, and the gang. I loved that video! (have you ever wondered when you see lime green on someone at Disney if they are a Diser but are too shy to go up & ask? I know I was last trip.)

Love your pics!! I didn't know you could see Winnie the Pooh in WS - I was sad that I couldn't get an ADR for CP for next Wednesday because my daughter & grandson (1) will arrive that day and that's our MK day. I really hoped he could see them but hopefully on Thursday we will find them at WS (our Epcot day).

 

[janloz]

We were seated at the table in the section on the left near the bathrooms and buffet.

Don't they look happy to be in Disney?? It shows where we were seated too.

Finally a pic of the food area.

The hot part of the buffet is on the outside walls and the cold section in the middle of the area. At the beginning is the kids sections which had wonderful puffed french toast which tasted like apple fritters (like you get at the fairs) plus eggs, mickey waffles and hot cereal. Then on to the adult section, they had bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, fritatas (YUM!), pancakes, french toast, and I think they would make any type of eggs you like in the section where the 2 hot buffet areas met. In the cold section, they had 4-5 types of Kelloggs cereals, fresh and cut fruits, yogurts, pastries, bagels, bread etc. As you can imagine, something for everyone. The waiter brought us the coffee, orange juice, teas, milk, etc. Everyone liked all of the foods except the kids really didn't like the second helping of eggs. They said it tasted funny and when I tried them, they did. I think they were sitting too long in the back or something.

Then it was time for the character parade and photo ops with our friends.

We didn't wait for Tigger since they had seen him the night before in UK and it would be another 10 minutes until he got to our table. Plus everyone wanted to start riding some rides.

I had asked for the checks prior to the character visits knowing that it would take a while so now we were ready to start.

On last picture on the way out:

Total cost was $85.41 for 3 adult/1child and was 4TS credits. OOP was $13.03 for tip.

This was our first time to CP and would definitely try it again especially for perk of early arrival in the park and the food was good too.

(Yes, mybabesuz, another deja vu moment! )

After Breakfast, we take a look at the map:

And decide to head to

Since Mark refused to ride Small World first thing. (This will turn out to be big a mistake.)