Who knew choking each other would earn us fastpasses?

[mickeystoontown]

Morning! I have got to get busy finishing up this trip report because I need to start my pre-trip report.

Let's just say that I had everything all planned for our May trip and then, last night, KABAMMMMMMM.....everything was thrown off kilter. Discussions and decisions are being made as we speak and we'll hopefully know something really soon. I know! I know! You want details but I can't give 'em yet because I don't know 'em. If the plans go the way we are thinking they will go, it'll be a very good thing. If things don't go the way we are thinking, it'll still be okay because I'll revert back to our original plans.

My boss called in sick today so I can hopefully write an installment or two. I've gotta get moving!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Morning! I have got to get busy finishing up this trip report because I need to start my pre-trip report.

Let's just say that I had everything all planned for our May trip and then, last night, KABAMMMMMMM.....everything was thrown off kilter. Discussions and decisions are being made as we speak and we'll hopefully know something really soon. I know! I know! You want details but I can't give 'em yet because I don't know 'em. If the plans go the way we are thinking they will go, it'll be a very good thing. If things don't go the way we are thinking, it'll still be okay because I'll revert back to our original plans.

My boss called in sick today so I can hopefully write an installment or two. I've gotta get moving!

OK! not very nice leaving us hanging like that...sounds like you guys have something special in the works .... I think I going to book today (don't seem to be getting a pin so if I ever get one I'll just call and change it)...so, I'm going to empty our bank account a book Sept 28 - Oct 3 still not sure which resort and I'm booking our cruise for our anniversary, I'm so excited!!! we decided on the one that goes to Key West and the Bahamas out of New Orleans.

OK! enough sharing on your TR! looking forward to your next installments

 

[mickeystoontown]

Once I had tucked my pearl safely into my backsack, we went back out to World Showcase to continue our tour. We still had plenty of time to kill before it was time to check in for our LeCellier dinner so we set our pace at "slow and easy".

I have absolutely no idea where I took these next two pictures. None whatsoever. Maybe it's in Italy? But, that would mean that we backtracked (which we could have done) a bit which I am kinda thinking we did because in between these pictures and my Morocco pictures are more pictures of Japan. The castmember's shirt looks like it could have been an Italy type shirt. Heck I don't know but here are the pictures:

And, then, see, I have more pictures of Japan and they are in alpha order so I'm thinking we backtracked:

As you can see, apparently I was in some heat induced fog because I don't know where I was at this point in time.

I do know, however, that our next country was Morocco where we browsed through the shops and found some really neat spice packets. I bought my boss a couple packets of spices (and later wished I had bought some for myself) and I think that Mama bought one for my sister as well.

The smells in Morocco were almost overwhelming to the senses. They had incense burning, there were spices in the shops and lots of leather goods. I liked it though.

Before departing Morocco, I wanted to go back to the character greeting spot and see if Genie, Jasmine or Aladdin were there. Unfortunately, they weren't and we had to settle for spotting hidden Mickeys painted in the mural:

Next up on our trek was France.

The lure of the air conditioned Impression de France was too strong to fight and we walked over to see when the next show was scheduled to start. Just 10 minutes? We'll wait. When we entered the waiting area, there were just a few other people but soon the room was filling up with other guests. We figured everyone needed a respite from the heat.

John was leaning up against the wall and I could see his eyes starting to blink like he was on the verge of falling asleep. Surprise surprise! Mama and I were laughing and saying that John would probably fall asleep as soon as we sat down in the theater. A few minutes later, the doors opened and we all took a seat. I told John that the show lasted about 18 minutes and his time started riggggggghhhhhhht NOW! And, sure enough, he was out in two bats of the eye.

It had been several years since I had seen the presentation and I didn't remember it making me feel "funny". Not ha-ha funny but slightly woozy headed funny. I guess it was because of the Circlevision or whatever it's called. I also didn't remember how very pretty France was. (Like I really knew what France looked like as I have never been there but you know what I mean.) I was happy that we decided to see the movie. As soon as the movie was over, I nudged John and he was all wide eyed and bushy tailed. I can never get over how he does those power naps.

We looked around the shop in France a little before going back out into the bright Florida sunshine. None of us bought anything in the store but they did have some cute things in there. As we passed by the bakery, we saw guests holding plates of yummy looking pastries but we didn't want to buy anything and spoil our appetite.

As we walked towards the United Kingdom, I took more pictures:

***Continued in next post

 

[jenseib]

I got soooo far behind (I am with most of my subscriptions).
Do you have a picture of your pearl set? As you know, my plan is to get Claire and I each one to put in out coach necklaces.
I love your jumping pictures. I may have to give that a try. I am hoping to stalk out the photopass guys who do the glider thing over your head when we go as well.
T-rex looks so yummy. I am going to miss hitting lots of different Disney restuarants this time around, but I know I won't go hungry! LOL!
I can't wait to hear about Le Cellier. we origianlly were going to go there when I had the early March dates planned, but now there is no availabilty, and I'm not sure I would want to pay OOP for it anyways. LOL!

 

[TinksThree]

The store with the masks are definitely in Italy! I love looking at that store!

My DD (15) says that France is her favorite country because she adores that movie. I don't know if it is really the movie or becasue I always choose to go there when we are about to drop! I must admit I napped through it on our last trip....so hot and tired!!

 

[MissLiz]

The France movie is just so relaxing, and cool, and not hot, and did I mention really cool?




The store that has the masks scares the bejeebers out of me. I have this nightmare that DD is going to go in there and knock the whole display over in her overzealousness to see the beautiful masks. lol

There is something about Morocco that we just love. The way that you feel transported if you travel back through the little shops and walkways is amazing. And the smells are wonderful!

 

[aprilisis]

I'm finally caught up. I'm sorry for being away from the boards for so long. I sent you a PM, too. I have to say, your report put me in a better mood than I have been in over a month now. Thank you. I love the jumping photos and the one of your feet. I really enjoyed all of them, though!

 

[dismagiclover]

Love all of the WS pictures! It is just so fun to look at the details. And those mask have to be in Italy. Something to do with the masquerade balls in Venice I think.

 

[ddstratton]

We loved the movie in France! So nice and cool in there, too. It's a beautiful film.

 

[mickeystoontown]

OK! not very nice leaving us hanging like that...sounds like you guys have something special in the works .... I think I going to book today (don't seem to be getting a pin so if I ever get one I'll just call and change it)...so, I'm going to empty our bank account a book Sept 28 - Oct 3 still not sure which resort and I'm booking our cruise for our anniversary, I'm so excited!!! we decided on the one that goes to Key West and the Bahamas out of New Orleans.

OK! enough sharing on your TR! looking forward to your next installments

I hope I don't have to keep ya'll waiting much longer. I promise the minute I get a decision, I'll post.

I still think you should give the CBR a try. Like I said, it'll give Danny his beach vacation and you a Disney vacation all at the same time. It's also really nice to have a fridge in the room. Ashton would fall in love with the Nemos and pirates.

Oooooh a cruise?!?! I am still trying to talk John into booking a cruise. The closest I have ever gotten him to saying yes was when we were talking about a Disney cruise.

I got soooo far behind (I am with most of my subscriptions).
Do you have a picture of your pearl set? As you know, my plan is to get Claire and I each one to put in out coach necklaces.
I love your jumping pictures. I may have to give that a try. I am hoping to stalk out the photopass guys who do the glider thing over your head when we go as well.
T-rex looks so yummy. I am going to miss hitting lots of different Disney restuarants this time around, but I know I won't go hungry! LOL!
I can't wait to hear about Le Cellier. we origianlly were going to go there when I had the early March dates planned, but now there is no availabilty, and I'm not sure I would want to pay OOP for it anyways. LOL!

I took a couple of pictures of my pearl but they turned out blurry. I'll try and take another one so I can post it for you.

You should definitely do a jumping picture. We laughed so hard trying to get the "perfect" jump.

Were there no lunches available at LeCellier? I planned a lunch there for our upcoming trip because I didn't want to use two table service credits for our meal.

The store with the masks are definitely in Italy! I love looking at that store!

My DD (15) says that France is her favorite country because she adores that movie. I don't know if it is really the movie or becasue I always choose to go there when we are about to drop! I must admit I napped through it on our last trip....so hot and tired!!

Hallelejah for an answer! I was afraid I was losing what little of mind I have left.

John can nap anywhere there is a little down time. A lot of it has to do with his epilepsy meds but that ain't all of it.

 

[mickeystoontown]

The France movie is just so relaxing, and cool, and not hot, and did I mention really cool?




The store that has the masks scares the bejeebers out of me. I have this nightmare that DD is going to go in there and knock the whole display over in her overzealousness to see the beautiful masks. lol

There is something about Morocco that we just love. The way that you feel transported if you travel back through the little shops and walkways is amazing. And the smells are wonderful!

Amen on the emphasis on cool.

I told Hunter not to touch anything while we were around the masks. I could jsut see them falling down too.

I'm finally caught up. I'm sorry for being away from the boards for so long. I sent you a PM, too. I have to say, your report put me in a better mood than I have been in over a month now. Thank you. I love the jumping photos and the one of your feet. I really enjoyed all of them, though!

I'm so happy that you are back and that I was able to put you in a better mood. I find that the Dis does that to me too.

Love all of the WS pictures! It is just so fun to look at the details. And those mask have to be in Italy. Something to do with the masquerade balls in Venice I think.

I'm so happy that the mystery has been solved. I really thought it was Italy but wasn't quite sure.

We loved the movie in France! So nice and cool in there, too. It's a beautiful film.

I enjoyed the movie too. I had forgotten how neat it was.

 

[MissLiz]

Lisa--you are making me all twitch-y trying to figure out what you could be making a decision on. My imagination is going WILD!!!




Can't wait to hear what's going on!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Sorry it took me a while before I got back.....I did say "continued in next post" I just didn't think it would take me this long to get to the next post. Work....what can I say?


As we got closer to the United Kingdom, I could hear what sounded like music.

We walked down the streets of the United Kingdom, following what was definitely the sound of music:

And, we found these guys playing Beatles songs:

I've got to confess that I have never been a real fan of the Beatles so we only listened to them for a few minutes before continuing on.

We arrived at the red phone booth and Hunter just had to pop in one. I, of course, just had to take pictures. He was acting like he was some kind of celebrity and I was the papparazzi taking his picture. Crazy boy!

As I said before, I know I took more pictures but the CD they were on is now half blank. I somehow deleted the pictures. I may have them on a camera memory card somewhere but I haven't looked.

It was a bit early to check in for our LeCellier ADR so when we reached Canada, we looked around in the shop for a bit. None of us felt like standing through O'Canada. Can you believe that we have never, in all of our trips to WDW, seen the show?

After our window shopping, we decided to go ahead and see if they'd let us check in for our ADR. As I waited, I heard the castmember telling somebody else that they could only check people in an hour ahead of time. We were right at an hour before our's. The castmember asked if she could help me and I gave her my name. She said we probably wouldn't be called until right around our ADR time but she went ahead and checked us in.

We wandered down the pathway and the seats/benches near the entrance of the restaurant were all full. So, we went over to the Kidcot stop and found lots of benches available and they were in the shade too!

I, of course, after we had already walked all the down the pathway, realized that I had to tinkle. I didn't want to go into the restaurant so I walked all the way back up and over to the nearest bathroom. When I came back, Hunter had been eating some chocolate coins which had melted in the heat and had dropped a huge chunk of one on his khaki shorts. This was his reaction:

And Mama's reaction:

And John's reaction:

And my reaction:

In all seriousness, Hunter just wiped it up the best he could and we sat and did this:

I kept walking back and forth to see if any of the benches near the entrance to the restaurant came open so that we could move up there. They hadn't given us a buzzer and told us to listen for them to call our name. I certainly didn't want them to call us and us not hear them. Finally, I found a bench and walked really fast back to the group to tell them. I don't know why I didn't just call them on my cell phone. Lord knows John knows how to use one.

After about 5 minutes, they called my name only to let us in the door where we waited another 5 minutes or so. I think they were just teasing us.

Once we were seated at our table, which, by the way, was almost uncomfortably close to the table next to us, our server came by and asked what we wanted to drink, had we been there before, etc. She was very nice and said that today was actually her last day to work there. She was going back to Canada the next day.

She left and brought our drinks out in no time at all as well as the bread sticks:

Our server asked if we were ready to order and we were. I ordered the NY strip steak. John ordered the coffee rubbed steak. Mama ordered the filet mignon. Hunter ordered the roasted chicken and substituted the side for fries.

I don't remember how long we waited for our food but I don't remember it being a really long time. When my steak came out, I cut into it and it was definitely not well done with a little pink on the inside. It was pretty darn pink on the inside, almost all pink. I absolutely hate sending food back but I just couldn't eat it. I don't like rare meat at all. Once our server came back around and asked if everything was okay. I told her that my steak was too rare and asked if they could cook it longer.

Since everybody else already had their food, I told them to go ahead because I didn't want their food to get cold. After about 15 minutes or so, my steak came back out. It was still not done as well as I would have liked it to be but I also didn't want to wait any longer so I didn't say anything.

My plate (pre sending it back):

John's plate:

Mama's:

Hunter's:

I wish I had gotten the same steak as John's because that thing was delish to the max and I am sooo not a coffee fan. Mams's risotto was heavenly. Hunter's chicken was fantastic too. My steak was good, it just wasn't as impressive as the other food everyone ordered. It may have been better had I not had a bad taste in my mouth about having to send it back and it not being done properly the second time either.

**Continued in next post, too many pictures

 

[longing2Batdisney]

the mask are from Italy...I love their mask. I wanted to do a Mardi Gras wall in the living room and that elephant mask and the two large jester masks would be awesome!

the food sounds yummy! I commented the other day about a coffee steak?!? but she said it was delish too!

check out my siggie!!!! and I HAD PIN ATTACHED!!!
and another first for us I added the DDP! can't wait to make ressie's

 

[mickeystoontown]

Even though we were stuffed to the gills, we simply had to order desserts. Hunter's chocolate mousse:

John's chocolate whiskey cake:

Mama and I had the seasonal sorbet which, that night, was a something-or-other fruit sorbet. I can't even remember the name but it was a type of plum sorbet. I love plums and so does Mama so we figured it wouldn't disappoint and it certainly didn't.

I know right! You would think that a plum sorbet would be purple.

Oh I forgot to mention that, while we were eating, we kept hearing booming noises and we knew it was too early for the noises to be Illuminations. That must mean that it was raining. Thank goodness we were inside because it sounded like one heck of a storm.

Once we were done, we left a generous tip for our fantastic server because she was always there to refill our drinks, ask if we needed anything, etc. We told her to have a safe trip back to Canada.

We left the restaurant to see that it had, indeed been raining and raining hard! Everything was soaking wet. The first stop I had to make was a bathroom stop and everyone else did too.

From looking at the next few pictures, it looks like John had the camera because the rest of us are in the pictures. It's pretty rare that John has the camera.

I see that I had my arms folded up against me. I remember now that the night air was a bit chilly but then again, I'm cold natured.

When we got to the fountain, I told John and Mama that I wanted a picture of them jumping. Mama said "no way!" John thought otherwise:

Seriously, he wasn't going to really pick her up. They were just pretending to pick her up. Oh Mama, you are such a silly woman!

Next to give it a try was John:

Ummmm, yea....it didn't turn out so good but we had a fun time laughing at him trying. We knew that we weren't going to get a good picture and gave up trying. On towards the bus stops we went:

The magical sparkling pavement:

Me trying to capture some artsy fartsy pictures:

And, just because we can't stop acting silly, Hunter and I did a little dancing before leaving Epcot for the last time this go round:

When we got to the bus stop, we could see that there were already a few people sitting on the bus. There were lots of seats left so we were all able to sit down. The bus was freeezing cold. I'm not exaggerating. It was so cold that there was water running down the inside of the bus and onto the walls. We were huddled together like little eskimos.

A lady and her family got on the bus and she had a little girl who was about a 1 1/2 old and she was asleep. The mother was holding the little girl as closely to her as she possibly could to keep her from getting so cold. The bus driver came back in the bus and was standing on the steps while we were waiting on more guests to come to the bus stop. The lady with the little girl asked if the bus driver could turn off the air conditioner and he said he could not. When the lady asked why, he said something about if he turned it off, the windows would fog up and he wouldn't be able to see. I could kind of see what he was talking about but I also wondered why he couldn't just turn on the front window defroster. I never knew why the buses were so darned cold. Even with that knowledge, it didn't make the cold feel any better.

The lady was sitting next to Mama and the little girl's feet were right beside Mama's hands. Mama asked if she minded if Mama covered her feet with her hands so they wouldn't get so cold. The lady said absolutely, please do. We were all shivering. Even John said it was cold and he hardly ever says that.

I guess by now there were probably a 20 people on the bus and we were all talking. The other guests were saying that it had hailed on them during the rainstorm. One lady said it had hailed so hard that there were pieces of it on the cover of their child's stroller. Oh my goodness! We were happy that we were in LeCellier when the storm blew through.

Finally, the bus driver gave up thinking more people would arrive and we were on our way back to the Caribbean Beach Resort. Again, I have to reiterate how glad I am that the CBR is so close to Epcot. Otherwise, we would have all been frozen popsicles at the end of the bus ride.

We had an absolutely fantastic last day at Epcot. We took it at a slow pace and visited all of the World Showcase countries taking in all the details. John had had a little nap time too and we had a wonderful meal as well. I'd give this day an A-. (had to take off a point or two for the freezing bus)

**Up next: Another down day.

 

[mickeystoontown]

the mask are from Italy...I love their mask. I wanted to do a Mardi Gras wall in the living room and that elephant mask and the two large jester masks would be awesome!

the food sounds yummy! I commented the other day about a coffee steak?!? but she said it was delish too!

check out my siggie!!!! and I HAD PIN ATTACHED!!!
and another first for us I added the DDP! can't wait to make ressie's

Oh that's great Connie! I see that you chose the CBR. I think that's a fantastic choice for your family. What kind of pin did you have? A good one?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Lisa--you are making me all twitch-y trying to figure out what you could be making a decision on. My imagination is going WILD!!!




Can't wait to hear what's going on!

I'm sorry! I sure hope a decision is made soon 'cause I want to let ya'll know what it is. Or isn't.

 

[MissLiz]

When we ate at Le Cellier, we weren't super impressed, but you know I had to have the chocolate moose! AND I had to take a pic.

I giggled the whole time I ate it.

 

[mickeystoontown]

When we ate at Le Cellier, we weren't super impressed, but you know I had to have the chocolate moose! AND I had to take a pic.

I giggled the whole time I ate it.

I wish my steak had been better so that the meal would have been almost perfect. The moose was almost too cute to eat. Notice I said "almost". My only real complaint about the restaurant is how close the tables are to each other. We were seated next to the wall and we, literally, had to squeeze in between the table next to us in order to get to the seats.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Lisa, the pin was for 40%...I told the CM that my mom and several of my friends had recieved pins and I was very disappointed as I am the one who normally books our trip. She asked me to hold on, said there was an older pin attached, put me on hold she came back and told me it was good. But, did not have anything available with the pin at POR/FQ. So, we are trying out CBR which was my next choice. and we are giving the DDP a try. I was thinking of using 3 TS for character bf and 2 TS dinners. With the pin we saved a wopping $33, but hey it's in my pkt, right!?!

We are going on a cruise out of New Orleans in May to Key West and the Bahamas; we are traveling with friends, I'm so excited about both trips!! Disney crusies look awesome but are just so darn expensive; Danny and I were talking about maybe doing the Alaska one in 2013....we'll see.