They Don't Eat Hash Browns in Princessland - May 14 COMPLETE! 2/8 pg. 73

[glaserjm]

Hi Danielle, I'm a new reader to your TRs (they come highly recommended!) and I'm definitely loving what I see so far!

Can't wait to read more updates and see pics of more of your family fun/antics...it reminds me much of my own vacations with my parents!

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

I'm following along too and loving your TR! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[amazingact21]

Figment can be trippy when you're completely sober; I coudln't imagine it after enjoying a bit of the World Showcase offerings.



On the same page with you and Starbucks and Disney. It's the place to get those delicious drinks you usually pass on. Not to mention, it was probably perfect when combating that heat. I couldn't imagine drinking hot coffee out there.



Great PP pictures, the last one especially. You all seemed to be really enjoying the Flower and Garden Festival and epcot in general.

 

[DisneyJo]

All caught up here too

I'm glad you're back running and your mouth healed quickly too!

Your quiet pool time sounds lovely and your lunch looks yummy too.

Loving your PP photos, especially the butterfly one

 

[JPFamilyMom]

What a nice relaxing morning

Your salad from the boardwalk bakery looks delish, I think I might have to plan lunch there on our next trip.

Very cool and fun PP pictures.

to your brother Jason Looking forward to reading about your trips together next year.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Jason; so glad to have you here as part of the family.

Lunch looks yummy and your photos of the Boardwalk are making me very excited four our time there in 57 days.

I LOVE Figment and will be very upset if they get rid of it. I'm with you, I miss the original, but this one is better than the one in between.

MINE MINE MINE...I showed this to my husband and he was in stitches.

I love the frappucinos at Starbucks...my hips not so much.

I LOVE all the photopass pictures. Those with the butterflies are fabulous.

I'm glad he posted. Don't know if he is every going to post again, but at least he did once.

Lunch was really good. It's a nice spot, and I think one that tends to get passed up at lunchtime because everyone is typically in the park. I recommend it.

I actually never experienced the Imagination in between. That was when we weren't going as often as we are now.

Hahaha, I loved that Mine gif.

My hips don't like the fraps from Starbucks either. Which is why I very rarely have them.

They had some great magic shots for F&G. I loved them.

Glad you had a nice "relax" day. We're not very good at doing those at WDW - darn short trips and/or too-long-since-last-trips!

Mmmm, how was that ganache? Sounds good! Your updates ALWAYS make me hungry. Now I'm going to need a late-night snack!

Good for you, taking vacation seriously! More people need to do that. I NEVER get bothered by work on vacation, but then again, I'm not really important enough for that. Dug, however, ends up having to do some sort of "emergency/crucial" work every time we go out of town. His boss apparently doesn't share your mindset.

I have a lot of short trips coming up, so the relaxing days will be few and far between.

The ganache was pretty good. It had a passionfruit base, which I didn't love. I saw salted caramel and thought that it would be all salt, caramel, and chocolate. The passionfruit was just out of place.

I'm really not that important either to be true, but some people seem to feel that I am somehow.

to the boards, Jason! Love the Dis name.
I used to be a "No sleep in Disney" type, but the more often I go the more I realize I really do need a rest day once and a while. Either that or I'm getting old.
Looks like a lovely time relaxing by the pool, and lunch looks yummy too.
Those PP magic shots with the butterflies are adorable!



Okay.

Hahahaha, good on you just nodding your head at my photos.

We used to be the no sleep in Disney kind too, but that was before the P's bought into DVC and we went much more rarely.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I really wish more people followed your philosophy on work emails!

Your Beauty and the Beast shirt is PERFECT!

So many cute PP pics!!

The problem with people doing work on vacation is the fact that we're now setting a precedent. There is no work/life balance anymore. We're tethered to these phones our companies give us, and quite frankly, I don't love that. I'm serious about my job, but when I'm on vacation, I'm on vacation.

I scored on that shirt at Target of all places!

I have to admit, I have a special place in my heart for the old Journey Into Imagination ride as well. It's like this childhood connection to it that I can't let go! I also feel the same way about the Wonders of Life pavilion. Do you??

I miss old Imagination so much! It holds such a place in my heart. I'm exactly the same way.

I do miss Wonders of Life! What irritated me the most is that they just shut it down and didn't really do anything with it. I was a huge fan of Cranium Command.

P.S. I'm also being a super stalker and reading all your old TRs. Loving it!!!

Hahahaha, read away!

 

[IheartDDuck]

We visited the Boardwalk Bakery before the refurb and I thought it was nuts how small it was, and we were there during an off-time and non-peak hours. We might need to check out the updates!

My guess is that your dad does not change his coffee order, I feel like I've had that same argument with my own father.

Love his Star Wars hat!

One of my least favorite things about staying at the Boardwalk back in the day was the size of the bakery. Now that they've expanded it, it's basically a perfect resort.

We bought all kinds of Star Wars stuff on that trip.

Jason! Happy to have you here!

Wait, seriously?! He was checking work emails on vacation. WHAT?! He deserved that lightsaber up the nose. It honestly ruins some of the magic for me when I think about work or things I have to do when I get home All that stuff needs to be out-of-sight out-of-mind for me and I know my family yells at my dad about it when we're on vacation. New rule: "NO WORK IN DISNEY!"

That Maleficent shirt is awesome! I actually would totally buy that even if it's a girl shirt because MALEFICENT!

I feel you on the whole Imagination thing. I never got to see the original or the short-lived JIYI, but it needs to come back. I've seen videos and it looked amazing! The thing is... People really do still remember it. I got so many compliments on a Dreamfinder pin that I traded for when I was last in Disney, it was incredible. Disney, c'mon bring it back! Oh and I love that photo you got of Imagination with sun reflecting off of it. Gawgeous!

to the artsy shot! So pretty. Love your Photopass too! You should totally frame the one of you and your mom kissing Popadon. Too cute!

Can't wait to read more!

P.S. Who's the creepy child squashed between your two brothers in the Rainbow Tunnel photo?

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) for my Pop, he's the parking and revenue manager for an entire city. So I understand to an extent why he does check his emails. He would fall woefully behind if he didn't. We allow him to do it once or twice on a long trip, and no more.

It totally doesn't matter if it's a girls shirt. It's a ridiculously awesome shirt.

The Dreamfinder was one of the best things about Imagination. The whole ride was such a representation of imagination to me, much more so than the new ride.

The creepy child squashed is actually my older brother Jason. The oldest kid in the picture is actually my uncle believe it or not. He's only 10 years older than me.

Hi Jason!

That quiet pool looks lovely! I'm scared of clowns so if I stayed at the Boardwalk I would probably be hanging out there.

I want that castle suncatcher. Nay, I NEED it!

Beautiful pic of the Imagination pavilion!!

For what it's worth, as much as I love Popadon, I think you are the coolest.

The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is my favorite drink ever! Too bad it's $5 and approximately one bajillion calories. Which is fine on vacation, but when you're working, not so much...

Daww such adorable Photopass pics!

Girl, I totally get your fear of clowns and not wanting to go on the clown pool.

That castle sun catcher was incredible. So beautiful. They are pretty pricey though, which was why I didn't buy any.

Awwwwww, thanks Courtney!

That is exactly the reason why I so rarely have fraps. Too much of everything.

 

[guinness408]

Danielle, inspired by your awesome shirts, I went into Hot Topic yesterday. What a dangerous store!! Got 2 tank tops (wound have prob gotten more but they only had really sma sizes) and 4 adorable hair clips. Loved that place!! Thanks for the tip.... Robyn

 

[IheartDDuck]

Joining in! I am loving your report so far. I'm drooling over most of your food pictures - they just look so good! That violet lemonade sounds wonderful. I am really enjoying reading about your adventures - you all just seem to have a good time together!

I'm glad that you're here!

I love taking food pictures. If you like those, you'll have to make sure that you join in on my November TR. We'll be there for food and wine.

Hey there PapadonSon. glad you are on board.... and yes we will have some great times in February..... If we all survive the marathons.....

Wait...isn't that if I survive the marathon?

I have to share this. I was reading your TR update the other night and laughing so my DD10 was like "What's so funny?" and so I started reading her your TR from the beginnig. When I was done she said. "Papadon is my favorite. I need more Papadon in my life!!!".

OMG, that's awesome! We do all need a little more Popadon in our lives. He's the best ever.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Hi Danielle, I'm a new reader to your TRs (they come highly recommended!) and I'm definitely loving what I see so far!

Can't wait to read more updates and see pics of more of your family fun/antics...it reminds me much of my own vacations with my parents!

I'm glad you're here! And that my TR's come highly recommended.

We have a ton of fun together. I love our trips.

I'm following along too and loving your TR! Thanks for sharing!!

Glad to have you following along!

Figment can be trippy when you're completely sober; I coudln't imagine it after enjoying a bit of the World Showcase offerings.



On the same page with you and Starbucks and Disney. It's the place to get those delicious drinks you usually pass on. Not to mention, it was probably perfect when combating that heat. I couldn't imagine drinking hot coffee out there.



Great PP pictures, the last one especially. You all seemed to be really enjoying the Flower and Garden Festival and epcot in general.

That would be the best Figment ride ever! I need to try that on my upcoming trip....

It is a great place to get the drinks that you would normally pass on. Disney is that for me in general anyway.

 

[IheartDDuck]

All caught up here too

I'm glad you're back running and your mouth healed quickly too!

Your quiet pool time sounds lovely and your lunch looks yummy too.

Loving your PP photos, especially the butterfly one

Welcome back! I hope you had a great trip.

I'm glad that everything is back to where it's supposed to be now.

Quiet pool time is always a highlight for me on my trips. It's one of my favorite things about vacationing in Disney when it's hot.

What a nice relaxing morning

Your salad from the boardwalk bakery looks delish, I think I might have to plan lunch there on our next trip.

Very cool and fun PP pictures.

to your brother Jason Looking forward to reading about your trips together next year.

It was a great morning. Perfectly timed I think.

We have a lot of fun coming up next year.

Danielle, inspired by your awesome shirts, I went into Hot Topic yesterday. What a dangerous store!! Got 2 tank tops (wound have prob gotten more but they only had really sma sizes) and 4 adorable hair clips. Loved that place!! Thanks for the tip.... Robyn

NICE! That place is so dangerous. I go on the website all of the time and I'm not kidding, I always have something in my shopping cart!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Day 4 - Sunday May 18, 2014 Continued:

We had just left off taking some pretty awesome magic shots by Spaceship Earth. At this point, our lunch was starting to wear off, so we debated what direction we were going to head.

Of course, I had to get another picture before we departed from the front of the park.



We started walking around Spaceship Earth to head back towards the center of the park. Now, any good DISer knows that this area is like a wind tunnel. Pop of course had to start acting like his normal self walking through the wind tunnel.

Or flying, if he had anything to do with it.





Now, when it's windy, this is totally what I like to imagine I look like.



And then there's how I actually look when it's windy out.



Our first line of business once we got out of the wind tunnel was to try to find the hummingbird garden. Emphasis on the word TRY.

Whenever my family tries to do something, this is what ends up happening. Massive amounts of distraction and then, well....



We did end up finding what was supposed to be the hummingbird garden. But there was not one hummingbird to be found. Okay then. I figured at that point I would just take a picture of the sign to prove that I was indeed in the area of the hummingbird garden.



But hey, what do ya know. Mater is a hummingbird! Cause he was in the hummingbird garden!



And so was Lightning McQueen.



I couldn't get enough of taking pictures of this lovely sight.





At that point, our destination became clear. We were becoming peckish. And were very clearly......

thirsty.



Well when you're thirsty in Epcot...where on earth would we go?



We weren't in the mood to take our drinks to go, and I wanted to have a snack, so I figured why not sit at a table at the Ditch, and have their queso, quac, and chips appetizer.

There was a line to even get to the bar to order a drink, and a CM waiting outside for people that wanted tables. We checked with him and he said that it would be about a 10 to 20 minute wait for a table. I could deal with that. So we took a seat and waited.

And wasted time.





This was the line to get in to go to the bar and get a drink to go.



We only waited about 10 minutes and then were shown to a seat. We were sitting in the corner on the couch and the small stools.







Imagine if you will from that last picture, that off to the right on one of the little stools right next to our table, were three kids, ranging from age 3 to about age 8 just playing. No idea where the parents were. They were very clearly somewhere in the bar area, but I couldn't spot them at first. They just left them there to entertain themselves while they drank away.

Listen, I'm not saying that your kids can't be there, don't get me wrong. You do what you're gonna do. But if you're going to have them there...WATCH THEM! That's classy business right? Come to a tequila bar with your littles and stick them in a corner with random people?

ANYWAY....

We placed our order with our really lovely server for the queso and guac. The queso in this was the clear winner for me. It was incredibly yummy. I want to go back again just to get that. The quac was good, but a little on the bland side. The quac at a local restaurant by me is better, but what can you do, right?



And our trio of margaritas.

Jalapeño for Pop, Pineapple for Me, and a Drunk Little Cucumber for Momma.



I asked Mom how she felt about her drunk little cucumber. It got the Momma seal of approval.



This is the Popadon seal of approval for his drink.



He very much enjoyed the jalapeño margarita, which had been recommended by Caitlin's Dad Dale. Mom liked the freshness of the cucumber margarita, which is one of my favorite things about it. The pineapple was good too. I'm trying to vary my selections every time I go.

They seated a few other people across from us, and they were all DVC members which was kind of cool. Always nice to meet people that have something in common with you and you can talk with about things. We chatted with them the rest of the time we were there.

We all got second margaritas as well. Mom and I changed up and got blood orange, and Pop stayed with the jalapeño. The blood orange ended up being a little sweet for Mom and she didn't finish it. So I did.

Listen, I'm not going to say no to someone gifting me with a margarita. That just isn't going to happen peeps.

Continued in next post:

 

[IheartDDuck]

Continued from previous post:

Now let me tell you. 2 1/2 margaritas in and I was feeling pretty good if I do say so myself.



What was our plan for this lovely evening? Keep on drinking! Oh...and eat a bit I guess.

It was a lovely early evening in Epcot.



Early in of course, Pop had to make a potty stop. So what better place to go then Norway. Amateur. Couldn't even make it that far.



I wanted to stop at the booth in China, so I could get a repeat of that lovely Spring Pancake with chicken that I had gotten the previous day. I could have eaten that thing all of the time. In addition, I got the plum wine.



I'm totally looking at that spring pancake right now and I want it! And I totally ate like an hour ago.

Of course I order the plum wine. And OTHER PEOPLE keep insisting on drinking MY plum wine. Which made me want more wine. So after eating our goodies, we moved on.

There were hats in the area, so we figured we would take some silly hat pictures in honor of Kathy's Mark.







I have absolutely no idea what was happening in this picture, but the look of utter confusion is priceless.



So the Tutto Gusto wine bar was my destination. I really only drink one kind of wine. Sparkly and sweet. I am no wine aficionado. I am a beer aficionado. I don't particularly enjoy wine, but I do totally enjoy sweet and sparkly. So Rosa Regale is one of my go to wines of choice.

Mom and I went in to order the wine. And I go to put the PIN in for the magic band. I got it wrong.

The cute Italian male CM at the wine bar says, the PIN was wrong. Go ahead and put it in again.

So I'm thinking....man....I'm tipsier than I thought, because I totally boofed the PIN. I type it again. He looks up at me,shakes his head, and says "nope....wrong again."

My inebriated face at this point in the conversation.



Mom and the CM start laughing hysterically. Because he was totally messing with my tipsy head! Nice one adorable Italian CM. Nice one.

FINALLY...I had my hard earned wine.



We were interested in stopping at the Hanami stand in Japan, so off in that direction we went.



And I caught what was an adorable picture. Let's say it all together. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.



We ordered the sushi sampler platter. It was pretty good. I mean, it's sushi, right? Although I had a total brain fart, and forgot to order the frushi. Dang fuzzy drinking brain.



Look what else I saw. A DUCK!



We headed into France to get some pictures of the topiaries.









It may not look like it, but I was totally concentrating really hard at that point to not fall off of the railing.



This was almost me guys.



After our almost unsuccessful photo shoot, we started heading towards the booth in the U.K. called Buttercup Cottage. On the way out of France, I saw this at the caricature stand.

Who doesn't love George Takei? OH MY!



There were a few more lovely topiaries to get pictures of.





Pop was in rare form tonight. To say the man is special is an understatement.





Continued in next post:

 

[IheartDDuck]

Continued from previous post:

Buttercup Cottage was our plan. There were two dishes there that we were planning on trying. However, one of them was out. The freshly baked potato and cheddar cheese biscuit. Waaaaaahhhhhh.

Since that was out, we ordered the Pork and Apple Sausage Roll with Housemade Picalilli.



It was pretty yummy. Pop definitely enjoyed this one. Mom and I decided that getting some Stella would be in order. Normally I'm a Guinness drinker, but I didn't want something quite that heavy. Under normal circumstances though? Oh yeah....



Also, why in the world did they get rid of the yards? That's just depressing. I guess I'll just have to make due with a normal beer then.



Oh, normal beer and a cronut a la mode! SCORE!



We got a normal cronut too. Pop wanted to have some of it, we gave him half. You know, diabetes and stuff to consider.



As we sat there and enjoyed our cronuts (they were amazing by the way), we just chatted and relaxed. And then I challenged Mom to a drinking contest with our beer.

Who would win, who would win? Pop had to document. I apologize in advance for his photography skills.





And this folks. This shows I have no shame. You see me burping in this picture? That's because I take my drinking contests seriously!



Pure unadulterated satisfaction in my face. Because I won. And she lost. See? She's still drinking.



I chalk it up to the fact that:

1) I'm a pro
2) I burped
3) She didn't burp
4) I'm a pro

Drinking contest complete, things just got silly at this point. Don't let me just keep drinking and then give me places to play and take pictures. Because this is what you're going to get people.







Mom and I started to get really silly with the camera.



I was insanely full at that point. Man. Drinking, eating, drinking.....drinking. It makes you full.

Totally what we both felt like.



We headed back to the resort, because we knew the entertainment would be out on the Boardwalk, so we figured why not go check it out?

It was still pretty light out. Ahhhhh, summer.



This guy was pretty awesome.







We stayed out for a while watching the entertainment on the Boardwalk. I love the randomness of it there. Just gives you something else to look at.

We wanted to head back to the resort and relax in the japoolzi, so we started heading back.

I turn around.

I start walking.

Foot catches on the Boardwalk.



And because this is a Danielle TR and I have no shame....that's not where it ended. Oh no.

The sheer magnitude of my stumbling and the fact that I was really full from eating and drinking? Well then.



Puffs of glitter guys! Puffs.....of glitter.

Needless to say, this was the highlight of our night. Because at this point, all three of us started laughing uncontrollably. That's how we roll folks. You know this!

This is what happens when you let me drink too much! We headed back to the room still laughing maniacally at that point about my puffs of glitter. We changed up and headed out to the japoolzi to sooth our muscles. What a great ending to an amazing day. This trip was already going down in the record books.

Up next: The dark side calls.

 

[belle79]

omg im dying over here!!! hope you didn't hurt anything when you fell!!! a few drinks always help make those situations easier to laugh at !!

 

[courtneybelle]

LOL all Popadon needs is Leo DiCaprio behind him with "My Heart Will Go On" playing in the background!

La Cava looks fun! I definitely agree that you should not be letting your kids run around a bar on their own. Not cool!

Bahaha the seals of approval are too great.

Ooooo I am going to have to try that wine. I am not a big wine drinker either but I do like sparkling drinks.

Hahaha oh that CM playing games with you.

Cronut...a la mode? I'm swooning!!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

See that. I didn't even know there was a humming bird garden. So you're still way ahead of me.

Haha, you know you're in Disney when there's a queue line for the bar. The next Tier 1 Fastpass I imagine.

On your story with the littles. I really do wish that people would realize that just because it's Disney doesn't mean you shouldn't watch your kids. There's still stranger danger people!!!

It sounds a little sad that I know that bathroom Popdon stopped at is right behind Kringla. But after consuming a sticky schoolbread, you tend to know where the nearest wash-room is.

God I hope I make it in February and our dates line up. I need to see this group in action so very badly.

 

[annie170]

Kids left on their own in a bar!? Nothing shocks me anymore.

I'd be annoyed too missing out on the baked potato and cheddar biscuit.

You guys are hilarious with your drinking contests. Booze always helps soften the blow when you fall.

What's with the random guy standing at attention with the juggler? He looks like he belongs with him, yet he's wearing a magic band.

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

Okay I would NEVER leave my kids alone in a bar. A mean c'mon its a bar! At least sit near your kids and glance over every once in a while!

Yes that right it is all glitter!!

Seriously can your family just adopt me? You guys seem like you have so much fun! I mean can I atleast be an honorary member?

I am going to have to try to hit Food and Wine one of these times! But not going in a low season means I will need to get creative and think of some magnificent idea that will make me millions (okay well maybe just a couple thousand) But seriously you make F&W look awesome (and I don't even drink!)