The Trip Full of Thanksgiving and Christmas 11/19-11/28 - Page 10 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Hmmmm, how 'bout that? That was unusual as most shops won't allow doubling up on discounts unless maybe Chase pays the difference on the Visa discount? I'll try getting the DVisa discount and the Basin voucher one, too. Maybe the magic will work for me as well as it did for you.
Sounds like you all had a great time.
We've never been on camera at Laugh Floor. You must get doused with pixie dust when entering or something. It is such a fun show even though you've seen it multiple times before.
I honestly think it was just a fluke or some extra pixie dust because it never happened again that I could get both discounts.
All.caught.up LOVE all the details you've been giving. My favorite pics still are the snow globe, and Caden licking his plate The chipmunks were hilarious!
Can't wait to read more.
I knew you would love those. We sure have fun with those chipmunks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Oh my word!! That breakfast at GG looks delicious! I think I'll be putting that in my must-do list for my next trip.
The interaction with Chip & Dale was hilarious! I was here cracking up just reading about it.
I absolutely recommend GG. Those chipmunks made it an awesome breakfast, but the good and service just out it over the top!
Been too long since we've done the Garden Grill and I am hoping to do it in June when we go. Also hoping they will be good with my food allergies...I would love it if they could modify some of what they have so that I can enjoy.
Doesnt' look like it was too crowded which is what I've always loved about the Garden Grill in the past.
Been too long since we've done the Garden Grill and I am hoping to do it in June when we go. Also hoping they will be good with my food allergies...I would love it if they could modify some of what they have so that I can enjoy.
Doesnt' look like it was too crowded which is what I've always loved about the Garden Grill in the past.
I bet they will modify things. Disney is so amazing like that. It was nice to feel like it wasn't crowded. I really enjoyed that too.
We checked in for the Behind the Seeds tour about 10:15 a.m. There were quite a few people of all ages, also waiting. Soon, Andrea, our guide, greeted us and took is back stage. Now I should have written down more details. Honestly I am pretty good about doing that. But this tour was for the boys. They really loved it, but forgive me if I don't have tons of details. I do, however, have a lot of pictures.
http://rs1275.pbsrc.com/albums/y446/...h=480&fit=clip
Andrea explained that they were working on these mini gardens. She talked about how they only use natural pesticides and they try to avoid the pests, but even I that contained environment it is a constant battle.
She explained how the plants were grown with hydroponics.
She also explained the tool that helped them make Mickey shaped cucumbers and pumpkins and well... Everything. Then we got to sample some of the cucumbers.
This is our guide, Andrea.
This was a really interesting technique called the lean and lower technique. These vines go on for so many feet that I can't remember, but it just wraps around and around itself and it all started with one plant.
These winter melon were crazy heavy. They had to reinforce them or they would break off. They are more starchy than sweet.
Then we talked about irrigation techniques.
These were stamped into the sand.
Talking more about the Mickey shaped pumpkins.
Oh! I forgot to mention that toward the beginning of the tour we met "Stanley", and if you want to know about Stanley you need to book the tour. But I didn't get a picture because it looked, um, ruined by the time I was able to.
Hidden Mickey!
It was very loud in this area and I had a hard time hearing, but I know she was talking about alligator and tilapia farming. I just could give you the details. I know the kids, and any adults that wanted to, were able to feed the tilapia and they went nuts.
We then left that are and passed a banana tree.
She then talked about that fluted pumpkin, as well as the uses for some other plants in this area. We had to guess from some pictures what they were.
After learning some interesting tidbits about the hottest pepper and other things, the tour was over. It lasted an hour, and she was available to answer any questions we had.
After the tour it was time for our Fasstpass to Soarin'. Should have soared right on, right? Nope. We got into the area and we were to be in row 1, yay! And we waited, and waited, and waited. They kept saying there was a fog delay. 30 minutes ticked by. People were getting antsy. And grumbling. 45 minutes ticked by, and no update from the Cast Members. We contemplated just leaving, but we knew the minute we did, it would open. At least we had a Fastpass. The people next to us were crazy enough to wait 2 1/2 hours in line for this!
Finally they moved us to the other concourse. People grumbled as we passed them, but oh well. We waited there too, but finally we were on an our after we entered the Fastpass line. We rode it, it was awesome, and we walked off. It just get kind of...odd.
We took a bio break, and Preston saw our guide at the desk, so he stopped to ask her some more questions.
Our Fastpass for Spaceship Earth was up at this point, so we headed over there. I think I forgot to mention that we had ridden this the night before too, on our way to Cape May. Tim loves this ride because it is what he teaches, so it is his classroom in a ride. Caden is lucky enough to be in his class this year, so he loved riding it and talking about all the things they had learned this year. I decided to be silly.
We were feeling a bit parched at this point and headed to Starbucks. I got this for a snack credit, and the boys all used snack credits on various caffeinated beverages.
I also picked up an ornament for a friend there. It was a really cute little tumbler that said Disney Parks on it. Our friends are huge Starbucks fan. We ask picked up an ornament that was a mini mug that said Epcot on it.
We then headed over to the Character Spot.
We had a Fastpass for this, and got in very quickly. It was a 45 minute Standby line.
First we met Mickey. I made sure to tell him that my classroom represented him very well. He loved me for that.
Too me this picture just shows how Preston may basically be a man now, but he is still a little kid that loves Mickey.
That fits for Tim too.
There are few things as nice as a hug from the big cheese himself. Amy_Hill_VanSwol/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshesjloly.jpeg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip[/IMG]
We then met the Goofy and had some silly times with him.
While we were waiting for Minnie, Goofy went on a break and then came back out. He made sure to walk through the curtain and not push it aside. Caden loved that! He laughed and laughed.
Soon we were meeting with Minnie, whom I adore.
I made sure to tell her how much I loved her and how she was well represented in my classroom as well.
Tim got some attention too.
And I think Preston loved it too.
But I love this picture!!!
Minnie gave me a kiss!
We had a dinner reservation in Disney Springs that night. We decided to take the boat to Port Orleans Riverside and check out the holiday decorations there, and then take the boat to Disney Springs.
We headed down to the boat dock. We have the absolute worst luck when we get on boats. I am not even kidding. On every single trip almost every time we tried to take the boat from here, it rained. Well just as we were getting ready to get on the boat, it started pouring.
Notice the clouds gathering.
Well there was this elderly couple ahead of us that just stopped right I the middle of the boat, and no one else could go anywhere because they couldn't decide what to do. My boys were ahead of us, and I know that they were confused as to what to do, so I told them to move to the side. They lady behind me started screaming at the top of her lungs for people to get out of the way because she was getting wet, so they better move! I gave her the glare of a mama bear. It was not my boys' fault! I noticed during the whole trip how she had her daughter on her lap (who was about 9) and she just looked miserable. How awful to be in this wonderful place and be so miserable.
Anyway, it continued to pour. I put on my poncho since I was getting wet. We stopped at Port Orleans French Quarter, and wanted to stop off to see Heather, fellow Passporter, but my boys were not going to budge with that rain. I was sad to miss that opportunity.
We made it to Disney Springs just as the rain started to let up. Of course.
We window shopped for awhile and staked out some purchases we wanted to make. Making our way to Raglan Road we realized we had never been this far into Disney Springs before. We checked in and didn't have to wait long to be seated. At first they were going to seat is at a high top table, but my short legs do not like those stools, so I asked to be sat at a regular table. They accommodated this.
First we were served the bread and Guiness reduction. Sorry for the bite, I was hungry.
I didn't know what to expect from this, but I loved it! The reduction was a bit sweet and that surprised me.
Preston knew right away what he wanted. It's Not Bleedin' Chowder.
I had thought about that, so I was glad he got it so I could try it. Very good!
Caden knew he wanted the fish and chips and ate almost every bite.
Tim wanted the Braised be Beef, but he is not fond of carrots, so he got onion rings as a side instead. He stated that these were the best onion rings he had ever had.
I have Kevin's Heavenly Ham and loved it! The cider reduction with the parsley cream sauce made this dish amazing!
The Irish Step dancers came in for a show.
Then it was time for dessert. We were quite full at this point, but of course had to try it. Caden had Dunbrody's Kiss and said it was very good, but rich.
Now I had heard the legend of the bread pudding, and so Tim, Preston and I ordered it.
So what did we think? Absolutely amazing. So flavorful, and perfect. But I couldn't finish it. Not even close. Neither could Tim. Preston, however, was determined to eat every bite. He admitted he hit the "food wall" but pushed past it to prove a point apparently.
Preston stated that this was the best meal of the trip. He still maintains that today.
The bread pudding looks amazing! Someday I'll try it. Too bad for the rain although it does not seem to be stopping your plans much. I'm loving your trip report.
The bread pudding looks amazing! Someday I'll try it. Too bad for the rain although it does not seem to be stopping your plans much. I'm loving your trip report.
It was so good!! We try not to let the rain interfere. It was more the rude lady that annoyed me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
What a bummer about the rain but at least it let up to wander around Disney Springs!
Perfect timing!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great day so far, except for the rain and the strange long wait at Soarin'. Very odd.
It was odd. And no one said anything, not even a sorry for your wait. The day was a good one overall!
Reading your review of the Behind the Seeds tour reminds me that we really need to do this one. We keeping talking about it, but we need to act now. You all, boats, and rain. Glad you all thoroughly enjoyed Raglan Road. I get Dunbrody's Kiss every time, but I share it with Luke as I'd never make it through it alone.
Reading your review of the Behind the Seeds tour reminds me that we really need to do this one. We keeping talking about it, but we need to act now. You all, boats, and rain. Glad you all thoroughly enjoyed Raglan Road. I get Dunbrody's Kiss every time, but I share it with Luke as I'd never make it through it alone.
I was afraid when I booked it that it would be for younger kids but that was not the case at all. It really is geared more toward older kids and definitely adults. You will enjoy it. And there is a nice Disney Visa Discount on it too. Our luck with boats and rain is uncanny. Raglan Road is at the top of the list for the next family trip!
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After our dinner at Raglan Road it was dark, so we decided to explore the other parts of Disney Springs we hadn't gotten to before. There were definitely plenty of walls up still.
After wandering over the bridge and then deciding that we had seen enough, checking out the new shaving shop for Tim and deciding against anything there, we wandered into the danger zone. Yet it was the one place the boys begged to go to.
It didn't take Preston long to find what he wanted.
Caden took a little longer, but finally narrowed it down to one as there was no way we were getting him all three things he wanted.
Both of those things are getting wrapped up for Christmas for the boys, much to their dismay.
We then found our way over here.
We got my niece and nephew some Mickey and Minnie ears, a Duffy and ShellieMay book, and Caden got a fluffy Donald, something he had been wanting for awhile. He will make an appearance later. I also got a spoon rest, and one for my mom, a cookie cutter for my mom, a mug for a friend and a mug for Tim. Packages in hand, we headed to Goffy's Candy Company for some snacks.
After selecting all sorts of goodies from chocolate covered pineapple spears, cookies, marshmallow Olafs, and chocolate covered pretzel sticks we made our way back to the bus. The funny thing is, we have never taken the bus from or to Disney Springs before. We had a bit of trouble finding them, but eventually found it and waited for a bit. We were the only people on the bus when it arrived!
Now here was a lesson we learned the hard way. At Coronado Springs the bus driver is supposed to ask you what stop you needed to get off. He didn't, and just let us off at El Centro, obviously not wanting to bother with going around the resort to our spot. At first we were a bit annoyed when we found that out , but turned out to be for the best and you will see why later.
We went into the gift shop to pick up our packages we had delivered there and I got to chatting with the lady at the desk. She was from Chocago and we were talking about the big snow storm we were missing. I then mentioned that I knew the manager's sister in law, but hadn't gotten to meet the manager yet. Well lo and behold, the manager comes around the corner and I finally got to meet Amanda! She was so sweet! We talked about her family and the fact that she would be leaving in a couple of days to stay with my friend for Thanksgiving. She said to let her know if there was anything she could do for us, and we headed back to our room.
We changed our plans around a little. It was time to do some laundry, so while Tim and Preston had to head out early, Caden and I would stay back and do some laundry.
The seeds tour looked like it was worthwhile! Too bad for the rain on the boat ride to DS! A great meal at Raglan Road and is one place I have yet to try! Some nice purchases in the various shops.
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
The next morning Tim and Preston got up bright and early and headed to Magic Kingdom to check in for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. Caden and I were a bit lazier and got laundry started after a slower start to the day. He wanted to go back to the room to watch TV while I waited for the washers to be done and ate breakfast by the quiet pool. Can you ask for a better breakfast than this?
It was quite chilly this morning. I was in a sweatshirt and jeans and so was Caden. But some people swam anyway.
After switching the stuff to the dryers I went back up to the room only to notice we had a message. It said we had a package at the front desk. Hmmmmm, I wonder what that could be? So Caden and I took the internal bus up there and found this waiting for us.
It was from Amanda, the gift shop manager! I was completely in shock! And so very grateful! It contained two mugs. A Cinderella one that said Once a Princess, Always a Princess and a Mickey Mouse one. Those came with a cocoa container each. There was also a scrap booking kit, Pez despensers for the boys, a big box of taffy, and some suckers. It was just lovely.
Caden and I walked it back to the room but we still had quite a bit of time before the driers were done, so we decided to get lunch at the Dig Site pool.
Caden ordered the Nachos.
And I ordered the fish tacos and fries.
Of course it took awhile to get ready and just about the time for Caden to take a few bites the dryers were done. Caden went to get the stuff out of the dryers and bring it back to the room.
We had noticed the squirrels checking us out, but now that he was gone, they got downright bold! And even though I shooed them away they just let getting closer and closer.
I got freaked out! Two things entered my mind. I was not going to share my meal with a couple of rodents. And maybe Tim did have a right to be afraid of chipmunks after all. I grabbed Caden's leftovers and ran for it! Well walked fast anyway.
I met him halfway back and he finished his nachos in the room. I asked him what he wanted to do, and he said he wanted to go to Epcot, so after folding and putting away the laundry that is where we headed.
I finally was able to get a picture of the sign.
We entered into Epcot easily.
This fountain was putting on a show.
I asked Caden what he wanted to do and he said he wanted to take his Do and to see the Three Caballeros in the Mexican pavilion, so we headed there. It wasn't a long wait and we got right on.
After finding Donald and reuniting with his amigos, it was beginning to get to be time to head to Hollywood Studios. So we headed over to the Friendship boat. For once it wasn't raining. Maybe Tim is the bad luck?
Caden was hungry so we crossed another thing off my bucket list and got one of these to split.
Oh how delicious this was!!!! So flaky, so sugary, so warm! Now I see why people rave about the cronut.
After sitting on a bench and scarfing it down before the egret that was eyeing it could get it (I was beginning to feel like Snow White with all the animal interaction that day), we headed over to the boat.
When what to my wondering eye should appear but this guy!
I was star struck!! Caden was too! I didn't even know what to say, other than we absolutely loved him and that my husband was going to be so disappointed we missed him! I texted a picture right away to Tim and sure enough, and was bummed!!!
Tim and Preston had finished their Keys to the Kindgom Tour. Tim enjoyed it, didn't like his lunch so much at Columbia Harbour House, but it was worth every penny for how much Preston loved it. He soaked up every detail and raced about it! It was the highlight of the trip for him.
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It is such a fun show even though you've seen it multiple times before.
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PassPorter Guide Author
Glad you all thoroughly enjoyed Raglan Road. I get Dunbrody's Kiss every time, but I share it with Luke as I'd never make it through it alone. 
A great meal at Raglan Road and is one place I have yet to try! 
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