This is the dawning of the rest of our lives... AT DISNEY WORLD!!!! COMPLETED 1/6!!!!

[__disneygirl]

DECEMBER 7, 2011
Day 3, Part 4 In Which Everything Really Blows

As soon as we left Tutto, it started pouring, so we ducked back in the restaurant for awhile.

I posted on Twitter:
Oh no, it's pouring. Rats. Guess I'll have to stay in here with the smoking hot waiters then. Lalalalalalalalalala Dec 07, 2011

No complaints here.

When it had gotten down to a light drizzle, we headed for the CP with plenty of time to spare. The hostess at Tutto had given us our passes for the CP told us to arrive a half hour before showtime to ensure good seating, and we were right in that range when we arrived. We were already a bit wet and couldn't wait to sit down in our priority seats in the covered section of the theatre.

At the America Gardens Theatre, the section closest to the stage is covered along with the stage. The section behind that is not covered, therefore all the seats were soaking wet. I figured, being that we bought a package to ensure good seating, that we would have a seat under the covered area. We didn't, even though we had paid for good seats and arrived 30 minutes in advance like we were told. I found this to be ridiculous. Only a part of the covered area is for CP package holders. The other section is for people who wait on line. I'm sorry, but if you are paying for priority seating you should be given the good seats above someone not paying for priority seating! Isn't that the point of it?!

I was upset. Not only did I feel like the lunch wasn't worth the money, the priority seating DEFINITELY wasn't. Because it wasn't priority seating. My mom offered to go get napkins so we could dry off our part of the bench, so that helped at least. The whole thing was just really frustrating and I was very unhappy.

View from our very VIP priority seats.

Close up of the trees they have on either side of the stage.

By the time the show started, we had been sitting in the rain for over a half hour. I was freezing. I was wet. I was disappointed, and I'm never disappointed in Disney.

Luckily my camera had a good zoom!

The Candlelight Processional is no doubt a beautiful show. A celebrity guest narrates the story of Christmas while a mass choir and orchestra perform music in between. The celebrity guest was Isabella Rosselini, and she did a wonderful job. I really thought it was a great show and if I had been DRY and in a better mood it probably would have moved me to tears at some point. However, my discomfort held me back from truly enjoying myself because I was freezing, wet, and annoyed feeling like we had wasted money and time.

Thankfully, it stopped drizzling sometime during the show, but I still couldn't wait for it to end, because that would mean that we could go back to Pop Century, change, and be warm!

Overall, I was really disappointed in the experience. I would not book a dining package again. What was the point of it? We could have gotten a better meal for less money and waited on line for the CP and gotten an actual good seat. It was just crazy.

All of that said, I was at Disney, and I refused to waste any of my precious Disney time being upset and bitter. Yeah, we felt kind of cheated. But why waste our vacation being upset over something we can't change? So we dropped it. Yeah, it was disappointing, but as I always say... the show must go on. And it did! THE LIVIN IT UP WOULD NOT CEASE.

Up Next: A fellow Disser (who I'm sure you're all familiar with) and her lovely mama turn our night around!​

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Well... I mean I was going to start this Philosophy paper that I'm going to try and have done by 10 o'clock tonight... and it's basically going to take me forever to do... but then I saw you updated. So I mean, my priorities obviously lie here. I WILL READ THIS FIRST! (I'm just justifying my procrastination, please excuse me. )

HOORAY FOR MAGICAL THINKING AND A BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN WAITER Life could not get much better than that!

Oh wait, yes it can. FOOOOOOOOOOOD

Tutto is one of the few Disney restaurants that I haven't been to yet! I need to make sure I go there on my next family trip!

Those desserts looks AMAZING... especially the chocolate cake. I WANT.

Ugh I feel really bad about the whole CP Package fiasco. Like... I just know exactly how you feel. I wish the experience would have been better for you overall. I'm really glad there were hot waiters though at Tutto. If there weren't, that REALLY would have sucked. But that whole seating thing... I agree with you. That's NOT fair at all. I feel like the package is literally only worth it during the week in between Christmas and New Years. I don't think you need it in early December. Oh well, lesson learned and advice shared.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT UPDATE!!!!!! I wonder who that diser could POSSIBLY be.....

 

[dara00]

what?! no pictures of hot italian waiters? come on now!

argh on the cp experience. I think I read similar reports on the not really priority seating. that is really too bad. did you write a letter or call to complain or anything?

 

[__disneygirl]

Well... I mean I was going to start this Philosophy paper that I'm going to try and have done by 10 o'clock tonight... and it's basically going to take me forever to do... but then I saw you updated. So I mean, my priorities obviously lie here. I WILL READ THIS FIRST! (I'm just justifying my procrastination, please excuse me. )

HOORAY FOR MAGICAL THINKING AND A BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN WAITER Life could not get much better than that!

Oh wait, yes it can. FOOOOOOOOOOOD

Tutto is one of the few Disney restaurants that I haven't been to yet! I need to make sure I go there on my next family trip!

Those desserts looks AMAZING... especially the chocolate cake. I WANT.

Ugh I feel really bad about the whole CP Package fiasco. Like... I just know exactly how you feel. I wish the experience would have been better for you overall. I'm really glad there were hot waiters though at Tutto. If there weren't, that REALLY would have sucked. But that whole seating thing... I agree with you. That's NOT fair at all. I feel like the package is literally only worth it during the week in between Christmas and New Years. I don't think you need it in early December. Oh well, lesson learned and advice shared.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT UPDATE!!!!!! I wonder who that diser could POSSIBLY be.....

Jess, you made the right choice. How important is a college paper when compared to my trip report REALLY?

hahaha while I was catching up on all your former TRs a couple weeks ago, I was seriously thinking "What Disney restaurants HASN'T this girl been to?" You're much better at trying new places than I am. It's always hard to decide between old faves and new experiences. You should def try Tutto, but with normal pricing, not $52 pp for lunch. Wah.

I knew you'd understand! And yep, I definitely see how it would be 100% worth it during Christmas week since I'm sure it's hard to even find standing room around that time. I honestly should have done more research. It would have been no prob to just wait on the line for 20-40 minutes and get a good seat that way.

what?! no pictures of hot italian waiters? come on now!

argh on the cp experience. I think I read similar reports on the not really priority seating. that is really too bad. did you write a letter or call to complain or anything?

LOL it is so funny that you would say that about the pictures of the waiters b/c I already decided I'm going to get pics with as many attractive International CMs as possible next trip. Necessary!

I was going to e-mail them about it, I don't know why I didn't. Probably should have. Guess I didn't want to dwell/drag it on any longer. I figured I could have gotten some Fastpasses or even possibly a refund out of it if I complained to Guest Services on the spot but I was not in the mood.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ugh, I'm sorry to hear that the CP was overall a disappointment. It really really stinks when things at Disney are a letdown. I mean, I know it's unrealistic to expect EVERYTHING to go perfectly during a trip, but to spend so much money and be soaking wet and miserable is really a shame.

Your meal at Tutto looked good though! I would have been all over that antipasto too! Dessert samplers are always a fun way to go!

I hope you made it back to Pop quickly and were able to get warm and dry!!

 

[Aussiesalad]

Yay for good looking waiters! Glad you got some bonding time with future husband.
Boo Hiss for your whole CP experience. The priority seating should really be more of a priority. I hate when disappointments are expensive too. Lame.
I'm so glad the "livin it up' did not cease! That is what is truly important.

 

[therussells08]

I can't believe you would have to pay the full price of the package if you cancelled! I love Disney, but that seems a little unfair!

Wow...those waiters at Tutto Italia sound worth the trip! I told my sister about your update and she said a foreign husband who also works at Disney would be pretty much the best husband ever.

Oh no! I'm so sorry you had a bad experience with the CP! That really stinks when something at Disney doesn't live up to your expectations. They set the bar so high that it's that much worse when something disappoints you!

I think I know who that DISer is! I can see how she and her sweet mother would cheer you up!

 

[__disneygirl]

Ugh, I'm sorry to hear that the CP was overall a disappointment. It really really stinks when things at Disney are a letdown. I mean, I know it's unrealistic to expect EVERYTHING to go perfectly during a trip, but to spend so much money and be soaking wet and miserable is really a shame.

Your meal at Tutto looked good though! I would have been all over that antipasto too! Dessert samplers are always a fun way to go!

I hope you made it back to Pop quickly and were able to get warm and dry!!

Yeah, I always expect little vacation mishaps, but the rain really put me over the edge. Sigh.

I could definitely go for some of that antipasto right now! Yum!

You will just have to wait for the next update to see! haha

Yay for good looking waiters! Glad you got some bonding time with future husband.
Boo Hiss for your whole CP experience. The priority seating should really be more of a priority. I hate when disappointments are expensive too. Lame.
I'm so glad the "livin it up' did not cease! That is what is truly important.

Yes, it was a great bonding experience for he and I. I'm sure he is heartbroken over me, but hopefully he will still be working for Disney when I return.

The priority seating should absolutely be more of a priority! I honestly don't know what Disney was thinking with that.

hahaha the Livin It Up will NEVER EVER cease!

I can't believe you would have to pay the full price of the package if you cancelled! I love Disney, but that seems a little unfair!

Wow...those waiters at Tutto Italia sound worth the trip! I told my sister about your update and she said a foreign husband who also works at Disney would be pretty much the best husband ever.

Oh no! I'm so sorry you had a bad experience with the CP! That really stinks when something at Disney doesn't live up to your expectations. They set the bar so high that it's that much worse when something disappoints you!

I think I know who that DISer is! I can see how she and her sweet mother would cheer you up!

I agree. I hope they make exceptions for flat out emergencies, because God forbid something bad happens and then on top of it you have to be out all that money? Imagine a family of 5 or something.

They absolutely are worth the trip hahaha best part of the meal TBH. Your sister is right, a hot foreign Disney husband would be my #1 choice! A girl can dream...

Yup, it's definitely that the bar is set so high with Disney. The quality of everything is always so high that when something doesn't go perfectly, it's like doubly disappointing.

Hmm, I am thinking you have guessed right! But you will just have to wait and see! haha

 

[IheartDDuck]

I love how you talked about being blond and fair, and still being Italian. I find it hilarious that people mistakenly think that Italians are all tanned and dark. Um, not so much the case. I know a lot of fair Italians! Much of it depends on region peeps!

I'm so sorry that the CP didn't live up to the expectations. That really stinks about the seating! You're totally right, your seats should have been covered. If you paid that money, you should have had covering. Period.

 

[Nermel9]

I can't believe they charge you the whole price if you cancel the CP dinner package! I don't even like the new rules they have where if you cancel some ADR's now they charge you $10 per person! Ugh.

That is so weird they first said that Tutto was closed, when you had an ADR there! I'm glad your "Magical Thinking" worked and you summoned all of the hot Italian waiters to your table! See, if that was me, I would have been doing the opposite, I would want them to stay away from my table, I don't do well with attractive foreign men! (Although, it's difficult when your husband is sitting across from you, you know? Kind of have to keep your composure, which is why I would have tried to will them away! I'd much rather admire them from afar! )

$130 for lunch is pretty crazy! I think when we did the CP package, I was kind of surprised by the bill too, because we did lunch at Rose and Crown, and it was really expensive!

I was kind of disappointed in our seats too, only because it was raining, like it was for you! I mean, if you're saying to people that buy the package that they get priority seating, make sure they get a seat under the roof, you know? Maybe don't sell so many packages. I had pretty much the same experience as you, I loved the CP, but I was annoyed because we were wet, by the end, I was ready for it to be over! It was beautiful and moving, but I know I would have enjoyed it more if it was DRY!

You and your mom have such a great attitude, I'm glad you guys didn't let your CP experience ruin your evening and the Livin' It Upcontinued!!

 

[AKL LOVER]

I just have to comment on your package experience b/c we were totally disappointed in our F! dinner package a couple years ago. We had an early dinner at MM which was fine. We got our ticket from our server who told us to show up 45 minutes prior to show time. What he didn't tell me was that the entrance for the package was no longer the alternate entrance and package guests had to go to the regular entrance. Luckily we figured it out and we did get to the main entrance 45 minutes prior...only to find they had already filled the theater to capacity. When I showed the CM my dinner package ticket, he said they had already filled the empty sets in the priority section with regular people waiting in line. WTH???? What is the freaking point of the package then if you aren't going to hold my seats? My kids were SO upset that we didnt get to see the show. Epic FAIL Disney.

 

[__disneygirl]

I love how you talked about being blond and fair, and still being Italian. I find it hilarious that people mistakenly think that Italians are all tanned and dark. Um, not so much the case. I know a lot of fair Italians! Much of it depends on region peeps!

I'm so sorry that the CP didn't live up to the expectations. That really stinks about the seating! You're totally right, your seats should have been covered. If you paid that money, you should have had covering. Period.

Yeah seriously! It's so annoying b/c I'm proud of my heritage, but instead of people talking about that, they'll like try to figure out WHY I'm so fair skinned. Like, "Oh, are you mostly Irish?" Um, no, I'm mostly Italian. Learn about the world please.

Yes! Thank you! I'm glad all of you understand! I love my readers

I can't believe they charge you the whole price if you cancel the CP dinner package! I don't even like the new rules they have where if you cancel some ADR's now they charge you $10 per person! Ugh.

That is so weird they first said that Tutto was closed, when you had an ADR there! I'm glad your "Magical Thinking" worked and you summoned all of the hot Italian waiters to your table! See, if that was me, I would have been doing the opposite, I would want them to stay away from my table, I don't do well with attractive foreign men! (Although, it's difficult when your husband is sitting across from you, you know? Kind of have to keep your composure, which is why I would have tried to will them away! I'd much rather admire them from afar! )

$130 for lunch is pretty crazy! I think when we did the CP package, I was kind of surprised by the bill too, because we did lunch at Rose and Crown, and it was really expensive!

I was kind of disappointed in our seats too, only because it was raining, like it was for you! I mean, if you're saying to people that buy the package that they get priority seating, make sure they get a seat under the roof, you know? Maybe don't sell so many packages. I had pretty much the same experience as you, I loved the CP, but I was annoyed because we were wet, by the end, I was ready for it to be over! It was beautiful and moving, but I know I would have enjoyed it more if it was DRY!

You and your mom have such a great attitude, I'm glad you guys didn't let your CP experience ruin your evening and the Livin' It Upcontinued!!

OMG I didn't even know about that! That's crazy. Things happen. I can understand a penalty for something like Cinderella's Royal Table or Victoria & Alberts, and even for the packages, but not the FULL PRICE. It's way too much.

hahaha I don't know if I should ever get married for that reason. I mean, I'm not the type to cheat on someone, but flirting? Sue me but I don't think I will ever be able to stop doing that.

Ack I know, $130 is totally too much. However, if the food had blown me away and we had good CP seats as promised, the price wouldn't have bothered me. Sigh. I'm so sorry you had the same crappy experience! I couldn't believe they weren't better prepared for the rain situation. They should have made sure there were enough covered seats for the CP guests and then if those people didn't show up they could fill it in with non paying guests.

Yes, nothing can ever stop the Livin It Up!!!!!!! Someone could punch me in the face and I would still continue Livin It Up. Disney just does that to us... nothing can bring you down while in your happy place!

 

[JolllyHoliday]

Your whole dinner looks just delicious!!!

 

[__disneygirl]

I just have to comment on your package experience b/c we were totally disappointed in our F! dinner package a couple years ago. We had an early dinner at MM which was fine. We got our ticket from our server who told us to show up 45 minutes prior to show time. What he didn't tell me was that the entrance for the package was no longer the alternate entrance and package guests had to go to the regular entrance. Luckily we figured it out and we did get to the main entrance 45 minutes prior...only to find they had already filled the theater to capacity. When I showed the CM my dinner package ticket, he said they had already filled the empty sets in the priority section with regular people waiting in line. WTH???? What is the freaking point of the package then if you aren't going to hold my seats? My kids were SO upset that we didnt get to see the show. Epic FAIL Disney.

WHAT ON EARTH? That is totally insane. I would have freaked out. I mean, yeah we got rained on, but at least there WERE seats. Seriously, what are they thinking with these packages? It's not like you showed up 5 minutes before showtime or something. It's so odd, Disney is usually so great at this stuff and they somehow missed the boat on these dining packages. I don't get it.

Your whole dinner looks just delicious!!!

It was yummy! I would definitely go back there... just not on a dining package.

 

[marDgreen88]

Okay so remind me to at least peek into the windows of Tutto on my summer trip hahah. I must see some of the god-like men in person.

Um, I think we should let the Tutto management know that having a hostess tell people that the restaurant is closed may not be the best for business... How weird!

I'm sorry you didn't feel like your package was worth it. I have to say I would probably have felt the exact same way. I'm glad yall didn't let it ruin your evening though!

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

I'm sorry to hear of your not so great time.
I guess it's bound to happen every now and then, right?
I'm guessing more fun is right around the corner!

 

[__disneygirl]

Okay so remind me to at least peek into the windows of Tutto on my summer trip hahah. I must see some of the god-like men in person.

Um, I think we should let the Tutto management know that having a hostess tell people that the restaurant is closed may not be the best for business... How weird!

I'm sorry you didn't feel like your package was worth it. I have to say I would probably have felt the exact same way. I'm glad yall didn't let it ruin your evening though!

GIRL you should do more than peek. If you don't want to make an ADR, go inside and ask one of them for directions. Whenever I don't know what to say around a smoking hot guy, the directions thing never fails. Hahahaha oh how I miss those Italians

I know, right? That was so bizarre!

Yeah, it was pretty bad, but nothing could ever truly stop the Livin It Up!

I'm sorry to hear of your not so great time.
I guess it's bound to happen every now and then, right?
I'm guessing more fun is right around the corner!

Yep, exactly. It can't always be perfect... even at Disney!!

You're definitely right about that!

 

[MarieTheCat24]

Kara's Random Thoughts on a Bunch of Things (Because she is THE WORST at keeping up with trip reports and will totally get distracted a billion times while trying to comment...Also, why are black jelly beans a thing and why are there so many in the bag I bought? Yuck):

Our frogfish friend will probably never have an actual name because, let's face it, he's way cooler than any name we could think to give him. I laughed so hard at Ringo Frogfish, though. I don't even remember seeing him in the tank. I guess that's fitting. Maybe I should take a little drum set for him in July...

God, I love people who get really into things and joke around at Disney. It makes it that much more fun.

You're lucky you weren't at Disney with me because I ABSOLUTELY would've done the beatboxing part of "Pop". And I can't beatbox to save my life, so really, you just would've gotten spit on.

Ahhh the Mad Dash. I'm kinda bummed about this new rope drop procedure. Like, I'm sure it's less stressful and all that, but I'm going to miss the hilarity that is a giant pack of people rushing to TSM. Any time a bunch of people do something in unison, I laugh hysterically.

It's the biggest Disney store in the world and I can't be trusted there. When I go in, it's as if I enter a black hole. I black out and wake up hours later with bruises and 17 cents to my name.

The plot of Hangover 3, perhaps?

Mmmmm Hot Italian Men bringing you Italian food...What could be better? I think we're going to try Via Napoli this year, but Tutto looks really yummy too.

I'm sorry that your priority seating wasn't quite so priority. That's really lame of Disney. Then again, where else in the world can you pay $50 a person to sit far from the stage AND get wet AND have it be called priority, right? It's Disney magic.

 

[Kelliroo3]

That's so weird that the CM said they were closed. That's odd. Your lunch looked good! Especially with the hot waiters.

We did the CP too but with Neil Patrick Harris. We ate at San Angel Inn. I'm sorry your experience wasn't that great. We loved it, and we definitely needed the package because it was so busy! We saw people waiting in the standby line at noon!

 

[__disneygirl]

Kara's Random Thoughts on a Bunch of Things (Because she is THE WORST at keeping up with trip reports and will totally get distracted a billion times while trying to comment...Also, why are black jelly beans a thing and why are there so many in the bag I bought? Yuck):

Our frogfish friend will probably never have an actual name because, let's face it, he's way cooler than any name we could think to give him. I laughed so hard at Ringo Frogfish, though. I don't even remember seeing him in the tank. I guess that's fitting. Maybe I should take a little drum set for him in July...

God, I love people who get really into things and joke around at Disney. It makes it that much more fun.

You're lucky you weren't at Disney with me because I ABSOLUTELY would've done the beatboxing part of "Pop". And I can't beatbox to save my life, so really, you just would've gotten spit on.

Ahhh the Mad Dash. I'm kinda bummed about this new rope drop procedure. Like, I'm sure it's less stressful and all that, but I'm going to miss the hilarity that is a giant pack of people rushing to TSM. Any time a bunch of people do something in unison, I laugh hysterically.

It's the biggest Disney store in the world and I can't be trusted there. When I go in, it's as if I enter a black hole. I black out and wake up hours later with bruises and 17 cents to my name.

The plot of Hangover 3, perhaps?

Mmmmm Hot Italian Men bringing you Italian food...What could be better? I think we're going to try Via Napoli this year, but Tutto looks really yummy too.

I'm sorry that your priority seating wasn't quite so priority. That's really lame of Disney. Then again, where else in the world can you pay $50 a person to sit far from the stage AND get wet AND have it be called priority, right? It's Disney magic.

Ahhh you're hereeeee! Yay!

It's so funny you said that b/c I told my mom the other day that he probably would never have an official name too. He's just so amazing that he defies all names. His TITLE is Our Frogfish Friend. and YES PLEASE DO BRING RINGO SOME DRUMS! What a genius idea!

I know you would have. This is why we NEED to be in Disney together someday. We can sing every *NSYNC song in chronological order complete with beatboxing and melodies. The parks will be more crowded than on Christmas when people start noticing us. We'll be hired and brought in yearly for a big event.

I have a feeling the new rope drop thing is going to be just as stressful if not more. People are going to catch on and the exact same thing is going to happen, it's just going to happen earlier. Mobs of fans will find their way no matter what. Trust me, as a completely nuts Hanson fan, I know this. Like the time we were told we couldn't line up for a show before noon and all the fans got together and paid off the owner of the VFW across from the venue so we could park, line up, and use the bathroom there... and then we promptly RAN across the highway at 11:59. Mobs will find a way!

I know I already called you a genius in this post, but it's necessary that I use that word again because THAT IS THE PERFECT HANGOVER 3 PLOT.

I want to try Via Napoli but what is this $30 for a pizza thing they have going? Like are you actually being serious? And then people on the Restaurant board say, well if you have 3 people, that's only $10 a person, you're getting off cheap. Uh, do you have any idea how much pizza I can eat? I don't want to share. And don't get me started on the smaller, personal pizzas. If I wanted a small pizza I would... well, I don't even know what I would do because I can't ever imagine wanting a small pizza. Pizza should always be served in abundance. They should have a pizza version of 'Ohana so that it can be consumed in unlimited quantities. I realize that when you replied to my TR you probably didn't want me commenting endlessly back to you but I just have a lot of feelings. Anyway, I'm sure you will enjoy your ADR at Via Napoli, even if you don't stuff yourself with pizza. The waiters are worth the price.

Your last comment about the CP really made me laugh b/c again... you are so right. Only at Disney!

That's so weird that the CM said they were closed. That's odd. Your lunch looked good! Especially with the hot waiters.

We did the CP too but with Neil Patrick Harris. We ate at San Angel Inn. I'm sorry your experience wasn't that great. We loved it, and we definitely needed the package because it was so busy! We saw people waiting in the standby line at noon!

Yeah, I have no idea what happened there!

It's nice (and refreshing!) to hear that at least one person had a positive CP experience. All hope is not lost! I've really been wanting to try San Angel Inn lately, too.