Take Me Out to the Mouse House **Updated 4/24** COMPLETE About This Page:

[tammyd_rn]

Another great update Sharon. Your Italian Margarita had me drooling. I fell in love with it in Sept and have been wanting one since. Looking forward to hearing about AK. Glad mom was able to break the little ones trance finally.

[PrincessSharon]

Originally Posted by Caldercup

Love your pics of the topiaries -- the new ones are great and I love seeing the ones I've seen before... all decked out in their new displays. ("ooooooh, a power auger")

Now you've got me wondering if there's a new film. I'll have to check it out and report back to you (and let you know about the newest trends in power augers )

Originally Posted by Caldercup

We did this too and I **hated** the wind in your face stuff -- I have a mild phobia about tornados (which stems from a recurring nightmare ) so I wanted OUTTA there!

I wonder if there are different shows. We had a hurricane show at least I think it was (and having actually lived through a few of those, eh). I would've like the tornado show a little better I think.

Originally Posted by Caldercup

FAB-u-lous!... but I notice our hottie butler from the AC isn't there. (Didja see him at American Idol this trip? Hmmmmmm?!)

I didn't see the AI show this time. I'm thinking sitting in an air conditioned theater instead of performing outside in the blistering sun is a much better gig. But maybe I'm considering the wrong things.

Originally Posted by Caldercup

Hmmmm... "distracted" sounds more like "chickened out" to me.

Distracted. Chickened out. Same diff.

Originally Posted by Caldercup

PS - glad to see you're not "calling dinosaurs" anymore... we missed you at the shore!

Yeah, me too.

Originally Posted by vfair

Love your F&GF pics - they are just gorgeous. Love the picture of your meal at Tutto Italia but how come we didn't get a picture of Antonio? Geesh!

I am good at taking photos of stuff without it being obvious, unfortunately, I was sitting the wrong way to do it. And I am not brazen enough to just say "You are hot. I want to take your picture."

Originally Posted by chezp

What great shots from Epcot - I love the one with the monorail, that just looks like one huge riot of colour! I can't wait to see this for myself in a couple of weeks time...

Me too! I think it will be even nicer then, Chez.

Originally Posted by Desurae

Love the update!!! Your pics are amazing and make me want to sneak away to enjoy it on my own!!! (Pretty sure DH and DD would hunt me down though....)Antonio seemed "nice", guess that would have been kind of weird to say "Smile so I can show the PPers your hotness!!"

Exactly! Although I have to say that another family asked for his picture (the family sitting at the table next to mine before the junior serial killer and his family sat down). Which reminds me that I didn't tell that funny story. There was a girl about 12 or 13 and her parents. Her father said "my daughter wants you to pose for a picture." Poor kid. She must've been mortified!

Originally Posted by DyanKJ130

Fabulous update! Your photos from F&GF are incredible! Every year I see how beautiful it is and every year I say we need to do that next year! True gorgeousness! What's Your Problem is a new favorite of ours. Did they still have the fathers diapering the babies?? That was the most hysterical part! I still just thinking about it! Weird about the future serial killer! Can't wait to read more!!!

Dyan, I saw the fathers diapering the last time I saw the show (and yes, it was really funny). I think there are 4 or 5 different games they can choose from.

Originally Posted by scdisneyfan

First, i will say i am still giggling about the serial killer kid comment. Eric for some reason gets kids from the ages of 5 and under staring at him. He always says to me "its looking at me...make it stop" *L* But, why i was laughing so hard was the serial killer reference. I am always saying to eric...i wouldnt be surprised if that weirdo turned out to be a serial killer This is why i look forward to your TR's its the commentary that gets me everytime!
I cannot believe I missed out on the F&GF this year your pics were amazing! I love the carriage with the pumpkins and the sand sculpture this year was amazing!
I will have to say that everytime i see Romeo and Edna I laugh until my stomach hurts...i love that show!
Too bad about the blister I had one of those pop up about 2years ago at disney and my friend had brought this moleskin stuff with her. I swear it was as if i never had a blister in the first place!! I always get those blisters that are tough and run too deep to pop.
And looks like tutto italia is something to put back on my list of resturants???!! i mean hot waiters and delish food
hmmmm can't wait to hear about AK...i think

I love Eric's reaction to kids looking at him. Sooo funny! I think the funniest part about Romeo and Edna are the guests they get to play the parts. And I'll be buying some moleskin for next time. Also, Tutto Italia, yummy! (and not just the food )

Originally Posted by Jillybean

Glad that you had as good as an experience at Tutto Italia as we did last summer! I think Thom had your same entree and I had your dessert! Yummy!!! I don't remember our waiter being such a hottie though so apparently we didn't have your same one! And kudos to you for buying your Italian margarita outside instead of paying the same amount for one half the size inside the restaurant!

Yes, I learned that valuable tip about the Italian margaritas from the ELC president!

Originally Posted by Jillybean

And I think you may have hit upon something with that little boy. We keep a running list at work of co-workers who might turn at any minute.

We don't have a list like that in my office. Only because everyone thinks it's going to be the same person. And we even know the guy who's likely to be his first victim.

Originally Posted by janicelovesmickey

love the SSE video
and I am cracking up about the little serial killer in training, but after all, he may just be IN LOVEEEEEE with you and couldnt take his eyes off of you!! hey it happens..
now I cant wait to see this Antonio and hope he is there new years eve...
I will take his picture I have no shame..

If that's his IN LOVEEEEE look, I suspect he's got a lonely future ahead of him.

Originally Posted by jpod523

lol...you forgot to mention the lady we saw at security who was carrying her groceries through the park. Honestly, who brings a canister of biscuits into Epcot?

YES! I completely forgot about that. Some woman had a bag of stuff and a can of biscuits in there. You know the kind that you peel off the paper and they pop open? Those! Why? Anyway, Jyl and I gave each other Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot looks and were like "was that what I think it was?" Completely bizarre. But if there's ever a "what's the weirdest thing you've ever seen at Disney" contest, we can win with that story!

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

DinnEr At TuTTo LooKs YuMMy! Iiiiii'M PraCTicINg My SERIAL kIllEr TyPing!

Great photos of the FandGF. Blisters . . . . are aweful I hope you have some moleskin! Striking out at AK does NOT sound good . . . its my favortie place to hang out!

Your serial killer typing will have me giggling for the rest of the day, Heather.

Originally Posted by KMB733

Great updates and wonderful pictures. That kid staring at you would have creeped me out too! Sorry about the blister on your toe. I certainly know all too well how a blister can ruin your vacation! I'm never without my first aid blister kit.

I've never (in life, ever) had a blister before. Now I'm going to have a little blister kit and take it with me everywhere. And likely never need it again.

Originally Posted by Shawnam1868

Lovin this tr. I am a diehard Red Sox fan, however, secretly like the Yankees. I would love 5 minutes alone with Derek Jeter. However, you can have Johnny Damon. I don't even want to get started on him. I think I would like to pelt him with bad hamburgers from Pecos Bills. Anyways, your dessert looked so yummy and I was cracking up over the serial killer in training. Poor kid, probably just zoned out. My daughters do it all the time and I am constantly telling them to stop staring.

I suspect Derek Jeter has a lot of non-Yankee fans. And poor Johnny Damon doesn't deserve to get pelted with PB burgers (though it would be kinda funny ).

Originally Posted by disney_duke

The pictures are beautiful, as usual. Really makes Epcot look gorgeous this time of year. Are all of your table service meals that quick as a solo traveler?? That's the one thing that concerns my trip this fall - sitting alone at a restaurant for too long. I hope they all go that fast! I know how a blister can ruin a day, even a trip!! I hope you truimph over the dreaded blister!!

I have to say that more often than not when I'm dining alone, my entree is always delivered within 5 or 10 minutes of placing the order. I never feel rushed, but I think this is their way of allowing me to set my own pace. If I wanted to linger, I could, but if I wanted to eat and run, I could do that too (and usually do).


I actually have the next update written up. I also resized the photos. Unfortunately, I forgot to upload them (got distracted by some tv program that airs at 9 on Wednesday nights ). So as soon as I get home and upload the pics, I can post the next update (with bonus photo of ice turds!)

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Sharon and your photos are fabulous!!!

[DyanKJ130]

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

got distracted by some tv program that airs at 9 on Wednesday nights

Are you watching American Idol?!?!?

Looking forward to pictures of the turds!

[goofysdtr]

I'm guessing Sharon's a Lostie.

[ilovedisney247]

Oh boy a Sharon update to look forward to when I get home from work! YEA!

[scdisneyfan]

Im hoping it was LOST that you were watching...completely my fav show ever and i was too laughing at heather's serial killer typing...that was so great BTW, i do love me some italian men...i might have to trick eric into taking me there for the Food that's what i will let him think *evil laugh*

[Mauimouse]

Too funny about the little serial killer. Kind of makes you wonder if you had food stuck to your face somewhere, huh.

Love your pictures of the Topiaries, I seem to have the same ones. Oh wait I was there the same time so I should have some of the same one right? Anyway great shots. I love the giraffe photos too, they were sweet.

[tigger_03]

I love the pictures from F&FW. My DD would absolutely love the topiaries of the princesses. I'll have to show them to her.

That boy sounds rather creepy.

Looking forward to hearing (and seeing) the next installment.

[WHMom]

I loved this update! The video from SE is great, as are all the F&GF photos. (Beast kind of looks like he just got a flower lei from the Poly, doesn't he?)

And now I've added two more "upgrades" to try for my next Epcot experience...I think it's time for me to watch the WS players in Italy instead of the UK, and it's time to get that Italian margarita instead of the Grand Marnier slushie. Thanks, Sharon! My future vacations are already better because of you!

[PrincessSharon]

Originally Posted by goofysdtr

I'm guessing Sharon's a Lostie.

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Oh boy a Sharon update to look forward to when I get home from work! YEA!

Sorry it took so long. I had a fight with my laptop last night.

Originally Posted by WHMom

I loved this update! The video from SE is great, as are all the F&GF photos. (Beast kind of looks like he just got a flower lei from the Poly, doesn't he?)

And now I've added two more "upgrades" to try for my next Epcot experience...I think it's time for me to watch the WS players in Italy instead of the UK, and it's time to get that Italian margarita instead of the Grand Marnier slushie. Thanks, Sharon! My future vacations are already better because of you!

I do my best to make the World a better place!

[Desurae]

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

Exactly! Although I have to say that another family asked for his picture (the family sitting at the table next to mine before the junior serial killer and his family sat down). Which reminds me that I didn't tell that funny story. There was a girl about 12 or 13 and her parents. Her father said "my daughter wants you to pose for a picture." Poor kid. She must've been mortified!

Oh No!!! That poor girl will never forget that classic dad moment! Hmmm... wonder if she'll ever eat there again

[vfair]

Love you story about the girl with her family at Tutto - if I had told a "hot" waiter that my daughter wanted a picture of him, I would have been immediately disintegrated by her lazer beam glare right before she disappeared under the table!

Looking forward to your ice turd pic.

[PrincessSharon]

Day Four – Monday, March 30
Striking Out at Animal Kingdom

I was up early and ready to go in plenty of time to make EMH at Animal Kingdom. My blister wasn’t as swollen as it had been when I went to sleep. I had nice cushy socks to wear and sneakers, but I wished I had open sandals so there wouldn’t be any inappropriate rubbing (). I decided to check the stores to see if there were any flip flops I liked.

I have to say that I used to be a serious over-packer and have recently been able to cure myself. The hardest thing was the shoes – I used to bring at least 3 or 4 pairs, even for a trip that was only 3 days. I’ve finally gotten trained to only bring 2 pairs, and look what it gets me! Now I only had the slip-slidey ones and the sneakers. From now on, I’m always bringing a pair of flip flops.

Once I was ready, I stopped and got breakfast at AP (grits, using a snack credit). I noticed that they were testing the new Characters in Flight balloon, so I grabbed a picture.



Then I hopped in the car and drove to Animal Kingdom.

I got a parking spot (aaaaaaaall the way at the end of the row, and my foot was hurting ) and by the time I made it to the entrance, the park was open. I saw very long lines at the turnstiles, so I decided to take my secret entrance. FAIL!! It wasn’t open. I’m not sure if it was because it was EMH or what, but now I was even further behind the pack, and the line was still very long.

Once I finally made it in, I headed right to EE. I picked up a FP and entered the queue. By this time the wait was 15 minutes. The ride was plenty fun, though! When I came out, the standby time had increased to 30, and it looked like it was at least 25, so I decided to ride Dinosaur instead.

When I walked over, I noticed there was a management-type CM with a clipboard counting the number of people who passed. I’m thinking that maybe Dinoland won’t be part of EEMH for much longer. Anyway, the wait there was only 5 minutes (really, less than that).

I headed back over to Asia to use my EE FP. But EE was temporarily down. I decided to head to the other side of the park.



I walked over to Africa and grabbed a FP for KS. I considered the standby line, which at the time was only 20 minutes, but I wanted to see the first show of FOTLK.

I walked to CMM hoping to see some characters before the show at 10. Unfortunately, the characters wouldn’t be out until after 10, so I went into the theater and found a seat. FOTLK is my favorite show at AK. I just love the energy of it! I was in the lion section this time.





I thought it was weird that the tumble monkeys didn’t perform (they were in the show, just didn’t do their act). I don’t know if it was for that day only, or if they cut it out of the show (and that would make me very sad – I love that part).











Once the show ended, I headed back to Africa to use my KS FP which was now ripe. Except there was CHAOS around the area. Apparently, there was an animal or something in the way and the ride was “down.” Yes, I was scratching my head over that one, too. I was striking out all over the place!

I gave up on the Safari because my feet were hurting and I needed to return the rental car at 12:00. I checked some stores on the way to Asia. This was more challenging than I expected. I saw some really cute flip flops, but they wouldn’t match my outfit. There were ones that were less cute that would match, but I wasn’t sure they’d be sturdy enough to stand up to walking all day in the parks. I liked the Mickey Fit Flops, but I didn’t want to spend $50 for them (and I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea for walking around all day – I think they’d make my feet and legs too tired). Then I got the brilliant idea to go to Target and buy some there. I even knew there was a Super Target really close by, on 192.

I was hoping EE would be up by then, but giving how the morning had gone so far, I wasn’t holding my breath. It was open (hooray) so I walked right on with my FP. The standby was 40 minutes, but the Single Riders Line looked even longer than that! There must’ve been 60 people waiting. I requested the front row this time (and a kid in the SRL rode with me - I don't usually get that lucky as a single rider).

I left the park and caught the tram back to my car (even though I was in the second row of guest parking) because I didn’t want my foot to get any worse. I collected my car and took the shortcut to 192. I was happy to find exactly what I was looking for at Target (flip flops that wouldn’t clash with my outfit, were durable enough to wear in the parks all day, and only cost $14 ). I also got a $5 off my next purchase of $75 coupon attached to my receipt, which I never get from my Target at home. Also, that Target had 100% plastic shopping carts. I thought they were so interesting I actually took a photo!


Nobody can claim to out-nerd me, for I have posted a photo of a shopping cart

I decided to return the car before changing my shoes, so I drove to the Car Care Center. I filled the tank and returned the car. I just love that the gas station is right there. Then I waited about 5 minutes and got a private shuttle back to SSR. The driver offered to take me right to a park, but I told him I was using this as my mid-day break. He told me most people don’t realize that the shuttle will take you wherever you want to go, not just back to your resort.

At SSR, I changed into the flip flops. I was happy to see that the cushy socks really did their job and the blister wasn’t swollen and seemed to be getting better already. I think it was paranoia that was making me think my foot hurt.

I relaxed in the room for a bit and then was ready for lunch. Because I was on the QSDP, a trip to Wolfgang Puck Express was in order. I caught the bus to DTD (and had to wait about 10 minutes for it – the longest wait of the entire trip). I went right to WPE and ordered my lunch.

I had the same CM that I had in January. I wasn’t really sure about it until she said she recognized me! You know you’ve been to Disney a lot when the Cast Members start recognizing you! I think it’s just because she has a good memory (or I am very memorable) because I’d only been there once in the last 4 years.

This time I got a pizza (normally, I wouldn’t get pizza outside of NY, but I like Wolfgang Puck’s California-style pizza). I also got the crème brulée again, and a fountain drink. It was one credit, but would have been about $22. It seems like a lot (well, it is) but the meals there can easily be shared. You get a lot of food!

I found a nice table outside in the sun and waited for my food to be brought out. I was disappointed to see that WPE also serves the turd ice. I hope it isn’t catching on and soon all the restaurants will be serving it. Anyway, you know me, I took a picture!


Behold, ice turds!

I had the same server (or whatever you’d call him) I had in January, but he didn’t remember me (at least he didn’t say he did).


Meatball and Parmesan Pizza - Niman Ranch meatballs, fresh basil pesto, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, tomato-basil garlic sauce and fresh basil



Crème Brulée

I was disappointed that the crème brulée wasn’t very bruléed, but when I ate it, it did have a decent crust on it. It seems I’m kind of a brulée snob. They’re never crusty enough for me (except at Fred’s in Barney’s here in NY – theirs is perfection ).

After lunch, I walked around a little and did some shopping in World of Disney. The CM there reminded me that Ghirardelli gives out free samples, so I was sure to get one. Down at the LEGO store, I checked out their city displays, which are so cool. I took a few pictures of my favorites.


That’s where I work


I’m going there in 27 days


And there in 31 days

I walked over to check out T-Rex up close. I’m thinking we’ll need to eat here on my family trip in August (three Dino-loving nephews).


He bites!



I walked through Pleasure Island. It was strange to see all the clubs just as they had been. Looks like they could’ve opened them up that night (at least it looks that way from outside). Before I headed back, I walked down to see the Characters in Flight balloon up close.



That’s something I need to try. I walked around a little longer, taking in the scenery. It’s been a while since I’ve been over on the West Side of DTD. I noticed the WWYC banners here were the four-park ones, which I liked best.



Then I walked back over and caught the boat back to SSR. The ride was pretty short and there really isn’t much scenery until you get past SSR (where you can check out the Treehouse Villas).



I walked back to my room (it wasn’t too far from the dock) and checked out the quiet pool on the way.





Back at my room, I just sat and relaxed a bit. I didn’t know where I wanted to go that evening, so I pondered for a bit and decided to head to the MK again. (I was in the MK so much this trip that I only had 1 FAB).

Up Next: A Late-Inning Rally

[cajunlace]

I your TR I feel like I am actually there!!!