Southern Fried in Mickey's World Updated 12/31 About This Page:

[chezp]

Neat to see some of this year's Festival offerings. I never cease to be amazed by how wonderfully creative they are.

[Colexis Mom]

You’re having a nice relaxing day at Epcot! Love the prints! Great pictures from the F&WF! Let oks like some great eats and drinks!

[cubfancolleen]

Mimosa bar?! Yes, please!
Sounds like a smart plan, keeping in the A/C as much as possible.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

A nice time in World Showcase for the festival. Some nice purchases with the festival pins and glasses! Love your eats and bevs as I love the Banfi Rosa Regale and know it's one of your favorites!

Banfi Rosa Regale is definitely one of my top three favorites.

Originally Posted by DMA

Good thinking to stay inside as long as possible! Weren’t those chocolate sculptures amazing? I was disappointed that the cheetah was so hard to photograph because of the glare.

I don’t remember seeing the mirror in the Coco exhibit. This is the second thing you’ve mentioned that I didn’t remember seeing! The first was the displays in Living with the Land. There is just so much to see that I guess you can’t see everything.

The mirror was back on the right side wall right before the entrance down to the marketplace. I often read about things that somehow Luke and I missed when we were there. The details are exceptional at Disney, but almost too much to absorb.

Originally Posted by MikeL

Have say Cam you look absolutely thrilled on FROZEN!

I really, really like this ride, so I've no idea why I looked so concerned.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by chezp

Neat to see some of this year's Festival offerings. I never cease to be amazed by how wonderfully creative they are.

They always amaze me, too. Such a treat to see what they imagine.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

You’re having a nice relaxing day at Epcot! Love the prints! Great pictures from the F&WF! Let oks like some great eats and drinks!

We do so much better now when we don't rush our touring days, but in this heat it was absolutely necessary.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Mimosa bar?! Yes, please!
Sounds like a smart plan, keeping in the A/C as much as possible.

The minute I saw a Mimosa Bar had been added, I knew we'd be stopping there. Thankfully, it was indoors, too. Very enjoyable!

[Cam22]

NEXT: The Return of Hurricane Michael and his Rain

Thursday, October 11, 2018 Part 3

As we left the Mexico pavilion, our plan was to stop at Norway’s restrooms and then move on to Japan as the skies were getting very dark. We hadn’t even exited Mexico when it began to sprinkle. We picked up speed and made it to the restrooms just as the skies opened up, pouring down rain. While there I donned my rain jacket, the purple Helly Hansen one I bought back in May when we were here. When I reached the restroom entrance, I could see Luke shelter in the entrance to the men’s restroom along with another guy and his family. I walked across to join them, giving Luke his Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund poncho, a nice heavy one that doesn’t move in the wind. By the time I had the sides snapped up for him, the rain was slacking off. We headed out to continue our walk to Japan without the crowds, which had dispersed to various areas of shelter. Kind of neat to feel that we had the park for a moment all to ourselves. No photos along the way as the camera was safely stowed in my rainproof backpack.

We still had some time before we could check in for our late lunch/early supper at Teppan Edo, so we browsed the shops for about 20 minutes. Then we took the elevator upstairs, checking in at 3:15 for our 3:30 ADR. The reason for our early reservation was that the DVC discount is only good during lunch. The 3:30 reservation was the latest lunch available. A hostess came for us before we could even sit down. Sweet! We were the first seated at the end of the table. But we were quickly joined by a party of six. Eventually, we learned that the six were siblings, a brother and five sisters, from Colorado, Idaho, and Boston, Massachusetts. Great tablemates, something that we’ve not really had on our previous visits here. They were having their last Disney meal as all of them were flying home their separate ways tomorrow. The six siblings get together yearly to stay connected, and Disney is often their chosen destination. Cool!

Our server Yumena took our drink orders with Luke getting a Coke while I got a lemonade. When she returned with those, we placed our meal orders. Luke got the Ueno, which is chicken and shrimp. I chose the Nihon Bashi, which is steak and chicken. Our chef was Arika, and he was quite entertaining. So I took lots and lots of photos. I have weeded through them, so no one gets bored. So observe as Akira cooks a feast for us all over a very, very hot grill while he keeps a great sense of humor.



In explaining how hot the grill was Arika painted a large Mickey Head in oil.



Then he began cooking the vegetables.



While these were cooking he made the typical onion volcano. He was hilarious at this point asking different ones of us if that was enough onion rings or should he add another.Even when one of us said enough, he’d act as though we wanted him to keep going. Our tablemates and us were laughing so much. Eventually, the tower was tall enough, he poured the oil in, and the smoke rose up. The Disney touch was adding two onion rings to make a Mickey head.




He returned the vegetables, specifically the zucchini and cabbage, which he now moved over to the Mickey head volcano creating legs and arms with a body to Mickey Mouse.





Arika talked nonstop through his cooking, doing tricks with the salt and pepper shakers, the spatula and fork, and even with the shrimp that was hoping to find Nemo. Noodles were cooked next and added to the veggies. These would be served to us first along with two dipping sauces.




Once the veggies noodles had been served to all eight of us. Arika began cooking the meats.




As he was finishing the meats, Yumena put a chef’s hat on Luke and we all sang happy birthday to him. That reminds me that at some point she also brought our bowls of rice for each of us.


When we had all been served our meals, Arika cleaned the grill and left us to enjoy a most delicious meal. It was worth to have an early dinner as with the DVC discount we saved $7.69.



NEXT: Please Let Us Off This Bus

[chezp]

How wonderful to have such fun tablemates at Teppan Edo. I've got to be honest, aside from meals with fellow PassPorters, I don't remember the last time we had that. We seem to end up sitting down and not talking, which is a real shame.

[luvnwdwgal]

I'm so enjoying your trip report! I would love to explore World Showcase someday, especially during Food & Wine. Unfortunately although DH and I have been there many times, he's just not into it and since he's such a picky eater he really could care less about the festival. I'm hoping to return next year with my sister cause I know she'll love it. Looking forward to more installments!

[SuperDave]

What is it with the two of you attracting Hurricanes? But in 2016 it was different as you couldn't leave the resort as quite a dangerous situation!


Nice experience at Teppan Edo and always enjoy my meals here but I need to go here more. Glad you had some good table mates and I have talked to some of mine before but not a lot. Arika was quite entertaining and creative making your experience that much better!


FYI there is a Benihana at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista on Hotel Plaza Blvd and walking distance to the DS Marketplace. It's the closest resort to DS. It can be booked on OpenTable. Just another option.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by chezp

How wonderful to have such fun tablemates at Teppan Edo. I've got to be honest, aside from meals with fellow PassPorters, I don't remember the last time we had that. We seem to end up sitting down and not talking, which is a real shame.

Most of our visits to Teppan Edo have been like yours, sitting down and not talking, but these fun loving siblings were so sweet and friendly.

Originally Posted by luvnwdwgal

I'm so enjoying your trip report! I would love to explore World Showcase someday, especially during Food & Wine. Unfortunately although DH and I have been there many times, he's just not into it and since he's such a picky eater he really could care less about the festival. I'm hoping to return next year with my sister cause I know she'll love it. Looking forward to more installments!

Thanks! The first time we went during the F&WF Luke didn't think he would like it, but now he is a fan, too.

Originally Posted by SuperDave

What is it with the two of you attracting Hurricanes? But in 2016 it was different as you couldn't leave the resort as quite a dangerous situation!


Nice experience at Teppan Edo and always enjoy my meals here but I need to go here more. Glad you had some good table mates and I have talked to some of mine before but not a lot. Arika was quite entertaining and creative making your experience that much better!


FYI there is a Benihana at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista on Hotel Plaza Blvd and walking distance to the DS Marketplace. It's the closest resort to DS. It can be booked on OpenTable. Just another option.

Thank goodness Hurricane Michael just skirted the WDW resort area. It was supposed to bring a cold front, but that didn't happen. Too bad!

[lindawdw]

I'm so glad you had such a fun experience at Teppan Edo! Pete and I ate there in October also and had a fantastic meal along with great table mates. It's one of my favorite places to eat because I enjoyed talking with people at our table and hearing all about their Disney experiences during their trip!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by lindawdw

I'm so glad you had such a fun experience at Teppan Edo! Pete and I ate there in October also and had a fantastic meal along with great table mates. It's one of my favorite places to eat because I enjoyed talking with people at our table and hearing all about their Disney experiences during their trip!

We love the food here, but we have never had this much conversation with our table mates before. It really improves the meal.

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great time at Teppan Edo!

[Cam22]

NEXT: Please Let Us Off This Bus
Thursday, October 11, 2018 Part 4
After our entertaining and delicious meal, we walked back to the American pavilion because I had noticed that the Voices of Liberty would be singing soon. When we arrived the floor was already rather full, so we found a spot between two columns where we could stand without blocking anyone while still enjoying the wonderful acoustics of the dome. This spot also gave me a chance to take some photos. My favorite song of this performance was hands down “Old McDonald.” The enthusiasm of each of the singers as they imitate the farm animals was hilarious. Really so much fun!













The next one is from their performance of “Old McDonald.” Check out their faces.







Luke had mentioned on the way to the American pavilion that he wanted to checkout the American Indian Art exhibit that was currently housed there. He had read about it and found it interesting. I had been totally oblivious of it until he mentioned it. The exhibit’s official names is "Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art." This interesting exhibit includes both very old pieces as well as relatively new ones that show the evolution of American Indian art over time. Through the 89 pieces, guests can see the influence of the old artists on the new. The exhibit is divided into seven regions around the United States as each of the 40 different American Indian tribes produces unique art forms. In case, you won’t get a chance to experience this art display yourself before it’s gone, I’ve taken lots of photos. There were three or four interactive pieces, though I only took a photo of one of these.

















Below is one of the interactive stations in the exhibit.































The next stop was the spacious and clean restrooms in the American pavilion before we walked back toward Japan to cover the remainder of the World Showcase, just observing each country as we walked through. Along the way we noticed the Illuminations globe out in the lagoon for the fireworks later this evening.


While we walked, we talked. Neither of us felt like there was anything else we really wanted to do at Epcot for now. At the World Showcase entrance, we browsed the two shops and then headed back into Future World. We’d decided we were ready to spend some downtime at Kidani. As we neared Mouse Gear, I asked if we could stop in and buy the socks I had seen on our first day at Studios. I picked up a pair of Alien (Toy Story) socks and a pair of Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, and Louie socks. We always bring back a gift for Luke’s mom so we picked up the Minnie Mouse spatulas for her. We carried these ourselves as we were headed home.
At the bus stop, we had a short wait for a bus home. Almost the entire trip home there was a toddler who was screaming her head off. Nothing her poor mother did would console this child. When our bus arrived at Kidani, Luke made it off easily and quickly as he was closer to the stairs down from this section, but somehow, I ended up right behind the screaming child and mother. The bus was excessively full, and those remaining on the bus to be dropped off at Jambo were not giving this mom any room to move. Suddenly, the doors to the back were shut right in her face with me right behind her. I could tell the driver was fixing to drive off. I yelled, “Hold on, people are still trying to get off.” Unfortunately, I had to holler twice to get the driver’s attention. I’m sure he couldn’t even see or hear us for the crowd standing in the aisle. But good grief, that poor mom and her unhappy child needed off, and so did I. Thankfully, he re-opened the doors and I scurried off to join Luke.



I felt for this mom, but the screaming was beginning to give me a headache, so Luke and I sped off to beat them indoors. Inside, we stopped first in the lobby. I went into Johari Treasures to pick up our Magic Kingdom package while Luke went to concierge to pay down on our room charges. Then we were off to the room to rest, take notes, and watch Thursday Night Football. We were back right at dusk so there were a few animals outside. Since no workers were around, I went out on the balcony to capture a few of them in photos. Unfortunately, not a single giraffe was in sight.






NEXT: Finally, Giraffes!

[chezp]

Oh my goodness, I'd love to have seen the rendition of Old McDonald... so not what you expect to see from the Voices of Liberty... at least I don't anyway!

That exhibition looked fascinating. It's a shame it's not permanent.

Thank goodness you made it off the bus!