Where did this heat and all these people come from? The new PTR/TR link 5/7

[kschafer]

Sounds like you had a great afternoon wandering around Epcot!

Funny, I tried the school bread for the first time this trip too and thought it was just alright, I was much more impressed with the cloudberry horn. Different strokes!

Glad you were able to get a colored pearl after all, I bet your necklace is really pretty.

See, now the cloudberry horn has never applealed to me since I don't like fruit flavored things (except for fruit itself or mixed with booze ...sad perhaps but true!) I'll leave them for you and take your school bread!!

as soon as I saw your little treat from Norway I knew it wasn't going to last until breakfast!!! Silly girl!!
Love your PP pictures--even though I have seen them all!!! I remember being very jealous of your soarin picture!!! Way cool!!!
Do you have pictures of your pearl setting? Sounds pretty Love that store....hmmmm I didn't know you could be served drinks inside....
Looks like you got a lot done and had a good morning before Shelby caught up to you

Tracy

I figured I would like it but turns out I loved it!!

I'll post a pic of my pearls in the souvies chapter at the end, luckily I only have 1 more day to go!

The pictures with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy are adorable! How fun to have one with all three of them!

Oh, how I would like to try a wine-soaked plum now!

I was so excited to get all 3 together! That pic is my computer desktop

Beautiful memories of your day at Epcot. I think I'm going to have to pick me a pearl NEXT time....!

Glad you got to see Mickey, Minnie AND Goofy.

It was fun and now everytime I wear my pearls, I get a little Disney smile in my day

Yay! Updates! I'm still here!!!! So glad you decided to continue with the TR.

I am loving all your F&GF pictures, they make me even more excited to see it myself next month! I like your reasoning for picking out two pearls too Did you take a pic of it, or all the goodies from DTD? I love pics of the swag!

F&G is fun to see, can't wait for your pics to see what they come up with this year!

Souvies will come...now I guess you have to stick around

Still here! Just slow to catch up.

Loved the trip to Downtown Disney. Can't wait to stock up at Basin. I love Earl of Sandwich too. I'd like to try Wolfgang Puck Express but somehow EoS always wins.

Thank you for all the pics of F&G. I am super excited to see all the topiaries in May. I last went for F&G in ~2006 so I'm sure lots has changed but I know I loved it then. Epcot is so pretty with the extra flowers!

Funny you should mention pick a pearl. I think between you and MEK I am now convinced to give this a go in May.

Ahh... the bellini in Italy.

Loving your new ticker. Another potential trip to plan!

We did breakfast at WPE in 2008 and it was really good and a great value on the dining plan but I think EoS is a great OOP deal and really yummy too!

Don't they do different topiaries every year? I heard they also are expanding the butterfly gardens too!

I of course thought of you while drinking the Bellini because I know you love them so!!

Katie -

What a great time in Epcot! Thank you for posting all the topiaries because they remind me of how much I missed last May, but how much I have to see THIS May. I am totally excited and actually forgot about that!

I LOVE your first pearl. It really is snow white. Did you pick a setting for the pearls. Jen and I each picked on in May

Jen's is on the bottom and mine is on the top. You can be sure I will be wearing my pearl back to Epcot in May.

I love the picture of you in that hat in China. Very cute. You got some great pictures!

Ooh, I like the settings you chose!!

Thanks for the photo compliment, not sure I can compare to you but I was happy with my point and shoot results!

 

[kschafer]

Day 7 continued

So Shelby and I left Japan after picking some pearls and booze soaked plums! We had an ADR this evening for Rose and Crown so we checked in then wandered the pavilion for a while.

(See Michelle, not nearly as crowded as your photo from earlier in the day)

I can’t remember exactly how long it took but it was quite a long wait

I thought these tea cups with the herbs were cool!

We had requested a lagoon-side table and they offered us one against the building but I had my heart set on a magical view of Illuminations so we asked to wait for a different table that had just been vacated. They were really not hustling at all this evening and I think total wait time from check in to seating was close to an hour! But we finally got a table

And our drink orders. I got the magical star cocktail (would have rather had something else but since I already had 1 glow cube, I knew I would need a second to bring home to the boys) I think Shelby’s choice was the Welsh Dragon - Peach Schnapps, Melon Liqueur, Créme de Menthe, Orange Juice, and Pineapple Juice Served in a Souvenir Cup $9.75

We were both still feeling rather full from our 5 days of deluxe dining so as much as I was thinking of the surf and turf, I went more basic with Fish and Chips - Battered fresh Cod served with English Chips $15.99

And asked for a side of Yorkshire pudding

This only cost something like $1.50!! I’ve saw they now have one with a mushroom cream sauce that sounds SO yummy! Shelby chose Sheperd's Pie - Ground lamb with carrots topped with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese $17.99

To be quite honest, I have to say I was a little disappointed with R&C. I even hate to say it because I know so many of you just love it and I had heard such good things from all of you but I didn’t think the food was that special. And when paying OOP, it seemed a bit overpriced for such basic fare.

The other thing that was kind of a bummer was the timing of our meal. We of course had scheduled an ADR that would work well with viewing Illuminations but it took so long to be seated that our food was served just minutes before the show began. We only got a few bites in before the lights went down and our attention turned to WS lagoon.

The view was decent from our table right on the corner of the patio.

 

[kschafer]

Overall, I was pretty pleased with my photos and just can’t pick my favorites

After the show, we ate our cold food and decided to share dessert Sticky Toffee Pudding $4.99

It looked a bit better in the dark, but tasted good! It was evening EMH’s at Epcot so after our meal, we had to return to Japan to pick up my set pearls then spent some time wandering Morocco.

I can’t honestly remember if we had a purpose here or not but it was fun to see the CM’s in that late hour. They were quite friendly and we even got to see them dancing in one of the shops because we were about the only guests there.

Next we stopped in France for the beloved slushie!

I went with the Grey Goose and Shelby chose the Grand Marnier. I was glad she chose it because I have wanted to try it but I have an aversion toward falsely bright colored food (there is NO way I will ever try the tye-dye cheesecake!) It tasted a bit too much like orange sherbet for my taste so I’m glad to know to stick with the lemon!

We slowly made our way back through France

And said hello to Canada

Upon reaching Future World, I suggested we hop on Test Track since we hadn’t ridden it yet but neither of us were really feeling it after our afternoon/evening of drinks so we just soaked up some final time enjoying the cooler temps and smaller crowds

We stopped for a couple more PP pics

Then made our way back to the resort to get some rest before our final Disney day.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Mmmm, fish and chips and a Welsh Dragon was what I ate at Rose and Crown. Yummy memories!

Sorry to hear the restaurant didn't live up to your expectations, but you had a wonderful view of Illuminations!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Beautiful Illuminations pictures!!!! What a great view!

I really like your pic of the "pixie dust" sidewalk in front of Innoventions too. Sounds like a great evening walking through the WS - gotta love lower crowds and cooler temps after a hot and crowded day!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great Illuminations pictures! I'm also sorry R&C didn't live up to expectations.

It must have been EMH that night. How awesome that you were able to stroll around after Illuminations and even get a slushie. Usually they shut down things during the show and start herding you out as soon as its over.

Cute slushie lushie tag!

Hope your ditch redo works out for Nov!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

You know what's crazy is, I took that picture from the bridge walking over to check in for our dinner ADR at Le Cellier. The timing had to be pretty similar, I guess we were just in the middle of the crowd the entire evening. We didn't stick around after dinner to see if it had cleared out, we were beat!

You had a great spot for Illuminations, got some really good pics! Sorry your meal wasn't the greatest. The menu at R&C has never really appealed to me, so I doubt we'll ever try it, that dessert sounds really good though!

 

[manntra]

An aversion to falsely colored food!! That is quite a mouthful!!! I understand what you are saying though!!
I am not a fan of the GM GGS....much more prefer the GGS or even more so the Cosm
I have enjoyed R&C....although I like my Mom's Yorkshire Pudding much better....probably because I eat A LOT of it But I remember it as being good and I liked the food well enough. Love the fish


Tracy

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great view and pictures of Illuminations.

I'm probably gonna be slammed by some R&C lover lurking about but English Pub food is probably best eaten in England with a pint of beer, in the company of GOOD friends.
The R&C menu has never appealed to me and if I want Fish and Chips, the Yorkshire F&C stand outside is good enough for me.

 

[sunny_stace]

Hi Katie!! Oh dear I've gotten sooooo far behind! I couldn't remember where I had left off so I just started over again! Just finished Day 2 (again!) and am loving it (again!). Even reading about your trip makes me feel like I'm on a nice relaxing vacation just indulging myself!

 

[MeMom]

I thought these tea cups with the herbs were cool!

Those big little teacups are very cool. Too bad we can't have gardens at home with cute stuff like that. Where could a person get something like that, other than at WDW?

Then made our way back to the resort to get some rest before our final Disney day.

There always has to be one of those.


Thanks for the trip around Epcot this morning. This has been a heckuva week, so little Disney doses of magic here and there have helped. I am listening to DIS Radio as I type, too.

 

[MEK]

Nice Illuminations pictures! They turned out great. Sorry you didn't love your meal, but hey ....your drinks look great!

So, you mean the temps dropped after I left???? What????? The night we ate there I could barely breath it was so humid.

Sounds like a fun, relaxing, uncrowded evening in Epcot!

 

[sunny_stace]

Still catching up! Wowwww Katie do you ever look like your dad!! I still cannot get over how you arrived ONE DAY after I left and the crowds multiplied so much! I mean, I thought it was busy because I'm used to going in off-season, but it was a ghost-town compared to your pictures! It's a good thing you know all the touring tricks!

 

[Poolrat]

Somehow I didn't get a notice of the last update. Glad I checked!!!

A lovely tour of DTD and then EPCOT. I am glad you got to slow down a little and relax. DTD is lovely during the day before all the crowds descend.

Earl's is yummy. I have not eaten at R&C but your view was great. Sorry the food timing was not better.
EPCOT EMH is nice when it empties out.

Love the butterflies on the pavement.

 

[kschafer]

Mmmm, fish and chips and a Welsh Dragon was what I ate at Rose and Crown. Yummy memories!

Sorry to hear the restaurant didn't live up to your expectations, but you had a wonderful view of Illuminations!

I have no regrets doing that ADR, it made for a very nice show! But, I think I can put it on my done list rather than my must-do

Beautiful Illuminations pictures!!!! What a great view!

I really like your pic of the "pixie dust" sidewalk in front of Innoventions too. Sounds like a great evening walking through the WS - gotta love lower crowds and cooler temps after a hot and crowded day!

One of my favorite memories of the 2008 trip was also Epcot after Illuminations, it just feels so calm and peaceful

Great Illuminations pictures! I'm also sorry R&C didn't live up to expectations.

It must have been EMH that night. How awesome that you were able to stroll around after Illuminations and even get a slushie. Usually they shut down things during the show and start herding you out as soon as its over.

Cute slushie lushie tag!

Hope your ditch redo works out for Nov!!

Yep, EMH meant more time for my drinking conquests!

You know what's crazy is, I took that picture from the bridge walking over to check in for our dinner ADR at Le Cellier. The timing had to be pretty similar, I guess we were just in the middle of the crowd the entire evening. We didn't stick around after dinner to see if it had cleared out, we were beat!

You had a great spot for Illuminations, got some really good pics! Sorry your meal wasn't the greatest. The menu at R&C has never really appealed to me, so I doubt we'll ever try it, that dessert sounds really good though!

I felt bad about not loving R&C because it seems like everyone does. I'm glad I'm not the only one for who it's just not my taste

An aversion to falsely colored food!! That is quite a mouthful!!! I understand what you are saying though!!
I am not a fan of the GM GGS....much more prefer the GGS or even more so the Cosm
I have enjoyed R&C....although I like my Mom's Yorkshire Pudding much better....probably because I eat A LOT of it But I remember it as being good and I liked the food well enough. Love the fish

I would love the chance to try the cosmo but as long as they keep it during F&W only, it looks like I will go unfulfilled for a long time

I think the Yorkshire pudding would have been better warm

Great view and pictures of Illuminations.

I'm probably gonna be slammed by some R&C lover lurking about but English Pub food is probably best eaten in England with a pint of beer, in the company of GOOD friends.
The R&C menu has never appealed to me and if I want Fish and Chips, the Yorkshire F&C stand outside is good enough for me.

It was a nice experience and I'm glad we did it. I guess I'm just not a fan and I can live with that

 

[kschafer]

Hi Katie!! Oh dear I've gotten sooooo far behind! I couldn't remember where I had left off so I just started over again! Just finished Day 2 (again!) and am loving it (again!). Even reading about your trip makes me feel like I'm on a nice relaxing vacation just indulging myself!

You crack me up Stace! Glad you are enjoying it

Those big little teacups are very cool. Too bad we can't have gardens at home with cute stuff like that. Where could a person get something like that, other than at WDW?

There always has to be one of those.

Thanks for the trip around Epcot this morning. This has been a heckuva week, so little Disney doses of magic here and there have helped. I am listening to DIS Radio as I type, too.

Glad I could help you out given how often you provide the morning dose of Disney for the rest of us!

Nice Illuminations pictures! They turned out great. Sorry you didn't love your meal, but hey ....your drinks look great!

So, you mean the temps dropped after I left???? What????? The night we ate there I could barely breath it was so humid.

Sounds like a fun, relaxing, uncrowded evening in Epcot!

Well, I said it cooled off, not that it got cool! WS wanderings in the dark are so cool, I think I hear the music better and it gives a different ambiance with the lights

Still catching up! Wowwww Katie do you ever look like your dad!! I still cannot get over how you arrived ONE DAY after I left and the crowds multiplied so much! I mean, I thought it was busy because I'm used to going in off-season, but it was a ghost-town compared to your pictures! It's a good thing you know all the touring tricks!

Glad you had a nice quiet trip, it was a bit disappointing to have the crowds but really with a good touring plan, we managed to avoid most of them

Somehow I didn't get a notice of the last update. Glad I checked!!!

A lovely tour of DTD and then EPCOT. I am glad you got to slow down a little and relax. DTD is lovely during the day before all the crowds descend.

Earl's is yummy. I have not eaten at R&C but your view was great. Sorry the food timing was not better.
EPCOT EMH is nice when it empties out.

Love the butterflies on the pavement.

Well, it's been awhile since that one, thanks for bringing it back up on my subscription list and reminding me to get back to it

Glad you enjoyed...more coming up!!

 

[kschafer]

Saturday, May 8

Our final Disney day dawned early and we had some important things on our still must-do list so after a bit of breakfast in the room (the one that actually made it back from Epcot the previous evening)

We headed out for our first destination and enjoyed the company of a family of very nice kids who we shared more of our stickers with

We arrived just a few minutes past rope drop but we weren’t concerned because it was EMH morning and the park was not at all crowded! We first stopped to say good morning to Bo who was sporting some love for Mother’s Day (this of course was a much more relevant joke last May…who would have predicted I would be writing this 10 months later?)

Next we grabbed a couple of FP’s

And made our way up the road

Pay no mind to the sign, it was a walk on!

Shelby had no interest in riding but I talked her into going through the line with me to check out the theming.

After riding once, I just HAD to run through a second time!!

I’m curious about the missing letters on this sign. With as much attention as Disney puts into hidden meaning, I always wonder if there is significance to the missing letters

After I had been dropped a sufficient number of times, I was ready to be shot like a cannonball so we got in line at RnR.

We were perfectly content riding apart so we opted for the faster single rider line. Next, we decided to slow things down a bit and headed over to Animator Studios. Since I had been there earlier in the week, they had changed out the Up scene to TS3 but they weren’t scheduled to debut for another couple days

Our first goal was to say hi to Mickey. You see I had been collecting autographs and pictures of the characters for Beth and I hadn’t gotten Mickey yet

Then we went into Animation Academy. We drew pooh bear

And had so much fun that we went a second time and drew his bouncing buddy

 

[kschafer]

Next up was Shelby’s #1 choice for the morning. Since I only have boys I know my chances of seeing this on any other trip are slim so I was excited to get to see it too. You know the story, no narration needed

We headed back down the now much more crowded street and found these amusing gentlemen

By the time we got to TSMM, the FP’s were all gone for the day, and it was only noon!

But we had our handy pieces of paper that let us skip the long line!!

Funny, now I’m not certain who one but if my memory is correct, Shelby beat me at Buzz and I won TSMM

The next IJ show was about to begin so we hightailed it in that direction and squeezed in just as they were selecting audience members to participate

The show was SO good! I can’t wait to take my boys!!

Greg’s one souvenir request was an IJ hat (yes, the man would love to be Indy!) so I grabbed that on the way out of the theater.

Our last desire for the DHS was Star Tours

I’m now really glad I got to try the old version and know the boys will love the revamped version!! Then we slowly made our way out of the park

and headed back to the resort. I had to stop at the desk at El Centro to find out about ME arrangements. When the gentleman told me I needed to be at the stop at 2:33 am, I lost it! Yes, I’m not proud but I actually broke down and cried. I don’t know if it was the heat, too much vacation or what! At that point I was so angry at AirTran for messing with my flights (if you recall the PTR drama, I originally bought non-stop tickets that were to leave around 9:30 am which (un)magically turned into 2 stop tickets departing at 6 am). I asked about taxis and was told it would run about $60. I knew that if Beth had been with me, we would have happily shared that cost to get a bit more sleep but I wasn’t willing to shell out the money myself so I was to be stuck with the had I had been delt.

We took the next hour to grab something to eat and cool off which worked wonders for my attitude. We both worked to as much pre-packing as possible and managed to squeeze it all in!!

Finally, we headed out once again for our final evening which was to include some very special plans

 

[sunny_stace]

Oh no!! Airlines really suck sometimes....I would have cried too Infact, I probably would have called the airline and had a hissy fit on them!

I love your ghosty picture on ToT!! That is an amazing shot! I love it when the sign reads a "13 minute wait"I really enjoyed the Indy pictures too since I never do that show anymore...I've seen it too many times and after going on the ride at DLR, I'm just bitter that WDW doesn't have the same one! I think though that I'll have to give it another go in September! And your pooh and tigger drawings are fabulous! I'm gonna have to give the drawing another go too!

Btw - I just saw on the weather channel that the freezing rain headacheand 15 cm of snow headache:) I'm getting tonight is from a system in Iowa....thanks a ton!

 

[Charleston Princess]

A picture of Bo is always relevant as far as I am concerned!