jodyb
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 15, 1999
- Messages
- 788
Cast:
Liav Now 14 years old!
Jody still a lot older than Liav (old enough to be her mother!)
December 14, 2005 Day 3
Woke up today to a very dark window . I looked at my watch OMG! After 8:30!! For "morning people" like us, this was very unusual! And it was still so dark outside I opened up the curtains and sure enough clouds, rain, cold sigh
We stayed in bed a while longer I did some work then I went down to the breakfast and brought some coffee and hot chocolate back to the room. I had seen someone do this the day before and thought brilliant idea! It was the perfect day to have coffee in bed before really getting up
Then finally at around 10 we went down to breakfast. I had another coffee and Liav had cereal and a chocolate croissant. It was still drizzling when we left the hotel around 11.. We stopped in the shops on the way through the village and decided that Friday would be shopping day and we made note of what Liav wanted to buy her friends and brothers as gifts When we entered the park we made our way slowly to Discoveryland, and to Space Mountain. The wait posted was 30 minutes. We decided to use some of the free fast-passes that we'd received with our AP's. These are good for any time during the year unlike regular FP's that have a time and date stamped on them. We were on the ride within a minute or two. This was our first time on Mission Two! We were excited, since we'd been at DLP in January for the last day of SM and attended the party with the imaginers The ride was great we really enjoyed it. Was it better than the original? To be honest I didn't see a great difference, but don't mind me I don't notice details on this sort of ride I usually just hang on and hope I survive till the end then when it's over I say I had a great time, and mean it! (I know certifiable!) Liav said she missed the big Mr. Moon but thought the ride was faster. We would have gone again, but the posted wait was now 45 minutes and we didn't want to give up more of our FP's at just that moment. So we went over to Frontierland.
It was still raining, and a bit windy, making it really unpleasant to be outdoors. I thought this would be a good day to spend some time indoors at a character meal, so we ducked into the Lucky Nugget and made a reservation for later.
Then decided to try Big Thunder Mountain, and luckily it did not have any queue! The posted wait was 5 minutes, but there was not actually any "wait" at all just the long walk to the train! So we rode that twice (getting off and making the circuit again in between, but that's okay). We went into the Frontierland shops and spent some time there One of Liav's friends is into Indian stuff, so we found some nice gifts there for her! I have no idea what was "Disney" about them, but they did have an Indian theme we made note of everything to buy on our 20% off day. I think Liav traded a pin or two here, can't remember. Anyway, we killed time until 15 minutes before the Mickey's Winter Wonderland show. The rain actually stopped while we waited to be let into the show. We really enjoyed this show! I loved the songs, the skating. Believe it or not it was our first time seeing this show!! Even after spending 7 days in DLP two winters in a row, we'd never managed to see this show!! Very enjoyable indeed.
After the show it was time to go back to the Lucky Nugget for our character lunch. I'd been given a slip of paper which was a confirmation of reservation and told to bring that when we returned, and there was a separate queue for people with these. I tried to stand in that one, but was repeatedly pushed (and I do mean PUSHED
) aside by French speaking guests. The CM's tried to explain that there was another area for those without reservations, but it was basically pandemonium in there. Finally I held my slip of paper in the air, and the CM saw it and called me up, which apparently appeased the others and they put their elbows away long enough for us to safely navigate the one meter of space between where I stood and the podium. Whew! Made it this far alive! Yay! 
A waiter appeared gestured for us to follow him. He arrived at a table, stopped there briefly, not looking at us, and disappeared. We understood that this was our table and sat down. We were not sure if we should just get up and help ourselves to food or not
but after a few minutes it did seem that this was the thing to do. We were quite thirsty, and I had hoped to have some water and a minute to rest before getting food, but there was NO SERVICE whatever, and finally we just got up, took plates, and braved the crowds at the buffet. The tables were set up much to close to the buffet, and in order to take food, one had to practically step on guests trying to eat! 
The food was quite sparce at first, and many of the chafing dishes were empty and it was not clear what had been there earlier. We did find lasagna, a beef dish, chicken for fajitas, chips, and some good salads. The food we had was tasty, but not special enough for the price (IMHO). We would have enjoyed it more had we been able to get something to drink. Several times I got up and searched for waiters, and each time I found one and tried to approach him or her, he or she just brushed past me as if I did not exist, heading somewhere in a hurry. Nobody, at any time during the 90 minutes we spent there, ever approached our table or said a word to us as I said, there was NO SERVICE. We would very much have liked something to drink, and later some extra napkins
but
oh well. Tigger and Goofy came around at one point and we got some pictures. They were lovely spent lots of time at each table, and not just the tables with small children. This was nice for us because at other "character meets" in the parks Liav defers to the younger kids, and there is never any organized way to approach the characters, so even though she would like to, she just lets it go. So I was glad for this interaction at the restaurant. 
Was it worth the 68 Euros we paid for this experience? NO. But the characters were the positive spot at the Lucky Nugget.
I finally walked across the room to the door to the kitchen and touched a waiter on the arm, and pointing to our table, asked for Cokes to be brought there. He didn't answer, so I wasn't sure if he would get them or not, but sure enough they appeared just as we were leaving. We slurped a little coke, and then got ready to leave. We were bundled up and quite warm waiting for someone to ask for a bill, but nothing had changed as far as the availability of servers, so I just assumed we were to pay at the exit.
When I got to the podium near the door, I turned around and saw that Liav was being held hostage by a waiter in the middle of the restaurant and was almost in tears. 
I made my way back to them, and found out that he had assumed we were trying to leave without paying! (finally noticed us???? 
) He ORDERED us to go back to the table and wait for the check. I paid (no tip- and I am usually a "big tipper" I DO appreciate that waiters work hard, and if there had been even the minimum of service I would have tipped, especially on a rainy day when the restaurant was very crowded
but this was beyond terrible, and I did not tip) he gave me a receipt and we tried again to leave. A CM at the door blocked our way and demanded to see the receipt, which he examined for a good long moment before unblocking the door and allowing us out.
I wasn't sure if I felt as if I'd been held at gunpoint for 68 Euros, or if *I* was a criminal escaping justice! Whichever it was, we did not leave the Lucky Nugget with a good feeling. There. You have the whole story! Sorry .
It was now just before 4 PM, and as we made our way out of the park there were very few people lined up on Main street for the parade. I am not sure whether they canceled it that day, but I rather think they did. We left the park and went back to the hotel for a rest, intending to return for the lighting ceremony, but at 5:30 the weather was still frightful, so we just stayed in the room. We could see the castle from our window and sure enough at about 6:15 the Christmas lights lit up, but I'm not sure if they did the actual ceremony or not. We did not go back to the park that evening, but we walked over to the Village to Annette's and had some apple pie with ice cream. Yummy! By the time we left Annette's the wind had died down and there was no rain so we browsed at the Bavarian Christmas market, and discovered the Chocolate covered Strawberries!!! OMG after that we got them every evening! Big plump delicious strawberries, covered with chocolate while you watch. So good!
That was about it for Wednesday I think!
Liav Now 14 years old!
Jody still a lot older than Liav (old enough to be her mother!)
December 14, 2005 Day 3
Woke up today to a very dark window . I looked at my watch OMG! After 8:30!! For "morning people" like us, this was very unusual! And it was still so dark outside I opened up the curtains and sure enough clouds, rain, cold sigh
We stayed in bed a while longer I did some work then I went down to the breakfast and brought some coffee and hot chocolate back to the room. I had seen someone do this the day before and thought brilliant idea! It was the perfect day to have coffee in bed before really getting up
Then finally at around 10 we went down to breakfast. I had another coffee and Liav had cereal and a chocolate croissant. It was still drizzling when we left the hotel around 11.. We stopped in the shops on the way through the village and decided that Friday would be shopping day and we made note of what Liav wanted to buy her friends and brothers as gifts When we entered the park we made our way slowly to Discoveryland, and to Space Mountain. The wait posted was 30 minutes. We decided to use some of the free fast-passes that we'd received with our AP's. These are good for any time during the year unlike regular FP's that have a time and date stamped on them. We were on the ride within a minute or two. This was our first time on Mission Two! We were excited, since we'd been at DLP in January for the last day of SM and attended the party with the imaginers The ride was great we really enjoyed it. Was it better than the original? To be honest I didn't see a great difference, but don't mind me I don't notice details on this sort of ride I usually just hang on and hope I survive till the end then when it's over I say I had a great time, and mean it! (I know certifiable!) Liav said she missed the big Mr. Moon but thought the ride was faster. We would have gone again, but the posted wait was now 45 minutes and we didn't want to give up more of our FP's at just that moment. So we went over to Frontierland.
It was still raining, and a bit windy, making it really unpleasant to be outdoors. I thought this would be a good day to spend some time indoors at a character meal, so we ducked into the Lucky Nugget and made a reservation for later.
Then decided to try Big Thunder Mountain, and luckily it did not have any queue! The posted wait was 5 minutes, but there was not actually any "wait" at all just the long walk to the train! So we rode that twice (getting off and making the circuit again in between, but that's okay). We went into the Frontierland shops and spent some time there One of Liav's friends is into Indian stuff, so we found some nice gifts there for her! I have no idea what was "Disney" about them, but they did have an Indian theme we made note of everything to buy on our 20% off day. I think Liav traded a pin or two here, can't remember. Anyway, we killed time until 15 minutes before the Mickey's Winter Wonderland show. The rain actually stopped while we waited to be let into the show. We really enjoyed this show! I loved the songs, the skating. Believe it or not it was our first time seeing this show!! Even after spending 7 days in DLP two winters in a row, we'd never managed to see this show!! Very enjoyable indeed.
After the show it was time to go back to the Lucky Nugget for our character lunch. I'd been given a slip of paper which was a confirmation of reservation and told to bring that when we returned, and there was a separate queue for people with these. I tried to stand in that one, but was repeatedly pushed (and I do mean PUSHED
) aside by French speaking guests. The CM's tried to explain that there was another area for those without reservations, but it was basically pandemonium in there. Finally I held my slip of paper in the air, and the CM saw it and called me up, which apparently appeased the others and they put their elbows away long enough for us to safely navigate the one meter of space between where I stood and the podium. Whew! Made it this far alive! Yay! A waiter appeared gestured for us to follow him. He arrived at a table, stopped there briefly, not looking at us, and disappeared. We understood that this was our table and sat down. We were not sure if we should just get up and help ourselves to food or not
but after a few minutes it did seem that this was the thing to do. We were quite thirsty, and I had hoped to have some water and a minute to rest before getting food, but there was NO SERVICE whatever, and finally we just got up, took plates, and braved the crowds at the buffet. The tables were set up much to close to the buffet, and in order to take food, one had to practically step on guests trying to eat! The food was quite sparce at first, and many of the chafing dishes were empty and it was not clear what had been there earlier. We did find lasagna, a beef dish, chicken for fajitas, chips, and some good salads. The food we had was tasty, but not special enough for the price (IMHO). We would have enjoyed it more had we been able to get something to drink. Several times I got up and searched for waiters, and each time I found one and tried to approach him or her, he or she just brushed past me as if I did not exist, heading somewhere in a hurry. Nobody, at any time during the 90 minutes we spent there, ever approached our table or said a word to us as I said, there was NO SERVICE. We would very much have liked something to drink, and later some extra napkins
but
oh well. Tigger and Goofy came around at one point and we got some pictures. They were lovely spent lots of time at each table, and not just the tables with small children. This was nice for us because at other "character meets" in the parks Liav defers to the younger kids, and there is never any organized way to approach the characters, so even though she would like to, she just lets it go. So I was glad for this interaction at the restaurant. Was it worth the 68 Euros we paid for this experience? NO. But the characters were the positive spot at the Lucky Nugget. I finally walked across the room to the door to the kitchen and touched a waiter on the arm, and pointing to our table, asked for Cokes to be brought there. He didn't answer, so I wasn't sure if he would get them or not, but sure enough they appeared just as we were leaving. We slurped a little coke, and then got ready to leave. We were bundled up and quite warm waiting for someone to ask for a bill, but nothing had changed as far as the availability of servers, so I just assumed we were to pay at the exit.
When I got to the podium near the door, I turned around and saw that Liav was being held hostage by a waiter in the middle of the restaurant and was almost in tears. I made my way back to them, and found out that he had assumed we were trying to leave without paying! (finally noticed us???? ) He ORDERED us to go back to the table and wait for the check. I paid (no tip- and I am usually a "big tipper" I DO appreciate that waiters work hard, and if there had been even the minimum of service I would have tipped, especially on a rainy day when the restaurant was very crowded
but this was beyond terrible, and I did not tip) he gave me a receipt and we tried again to leave. A CM at the door blocked our way and demanded to see the receipt, which he examined for a good long moment before unblocking the door and allowing us out. I wasn't sure if I felt as if I'd been held at gunpoint for 68 Euros, or if *I* was a criminal escaping justice! Whichever it was, we did not leave the Lucky Nugget with a good feeling. There. You have the whole story! Sorry .
It was now just before 4 PM, and as we made our way out of the park there were very few people lined up on Main street for the parade. I am not sure whether they canceled it that day, but I rather think they did. We left the park and went back to the hotel for a rest, intending to return for the lighting ceremony, but at 5:30 the weather was still frightful, so we just stayed in the room. We could see the castle from our window and sure enough at about 6:15 the Christmas lights lit up, but I'm not sure if they did the actual ceremony or not. We did not go back to the park that evening, but we walked over to the Village to Annette's and had some apple pie with ice cream. Yummy! By the time we left Annette's the wind had died down and there was no rain so we browsed at the Bavarian Christmas market, and discovered the Chocolate covered Strawberries!!! OMG after that we got them every evening! Big plump delicious strawberries, covered with chocolate while you watch. So good!
That was about it for Wednesday I think!
The whole experience turned out to be wonderful. We were seated at one of the terraces overlooking the floor area rather than one of the tables, I will always ask to be seated here again as it is far less crowded than one of the tables. We saw our miserable server from last time, still looking as miserable as ever 
