Yes, CLQ-1, there is a Santa Claus - Updated 1/13 COMPLETE!! About This Page:

[DoraDoug]

First, I have to say that I just the new sig pic of the girls. They are so adorable in their little princess dresses and Ralphie looks as if he is used to being used as a "cuddle buddy". Congratulations on conquering the TOT! I rode it 8 years ago and swore I'll never do that again and I don't think I've changed my mind after reading your report either.

[WDWfan]

I really was sorry to miss the TOT meet, but I was busy helping get ready for the MMM. Jill - I was so proud when I heard you had conquered the drop! You go girl!

They look like they've been up to no good, don't they?

Who US?!?!?!

It was after 1 p.m. by this time and everyone was getting hungry, so Lesley suggested that we try B&C. Sharon and I offered to go ahead and put our names on the list while everyone else finished up at the meet. When we told the hostess at B&C that we had 7 in our party, she gave us the bad news that it would be at least an hour wait. Oh well, it was a gorgeous day outside and we had nowhere to be, so we took our pager and found a table that had just been vacated.

It was much warmer on Saturday and as usual during this trip the time just flew by as we all sat and talked.

We had a big meal coming up that night, so several of us decided to split a cheeseburger.

I shared mine with Sara - and we did have the onion rings which were

We decided to order one No Way Jose for everyone to split. We had the best time attacking that sundae with pure, unadulterated gusto! It got so bad that Larry actually had to hold the base of the sundae glass to keep it from landing in his lap

OMG was that good! I wanted to go to B&C because I'd never been there before. After this visit I will certainly be back!

for picking up the tab Jill! You're the best!

You covered everything except the constant stops for biological breaks so I don't have to write my TR at all!

OK P-Sha - I resemble that remark! And yes you do have to write your TR. We all need more reminders of our wonderful trip - and besides I want to hear about the escapades with your other Peeps!

[travismom]

Great update, Jill!! Congratulations on getting over your fear of TOT!! TOT is one of my favorite rides, although DS HATES this ride. What a fantastic day you had with some wonderful friends!! I'm sooo enjoying this trip report.
More please...!!!

[lonereb]

Great TR Jill. Love all the pics. ToT is the best. I didn't want to ride it either, but, when your 7 year old niece rides it and says it was so much fun you kind of have to (and take her with you). This year I rode it by myself as my BFF that went with me WILL NOT ever ride it again she says. We will see. Congrats on conquering your fear of it

[wvugrrrl]

You rode the TOT and lived to tell the tale! I'm not going to lie, I TOT, and yet every time the elevator car leaves the shaft and begins making its way across the floor to the drop zone, I get a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. So congrats to you for conquering that fear. Next trip, Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, where, as a pre-show treat, Steven Tyler flashes "the shocker" for all to see! If you can ride that, you can ride anything!

Originally Posted by Jillybean

The most fun of the morning was simply hanging out with my PP buds and meeting some fantastic new ones. I was thrilled to meet Molly (wvugrrrl), Travis (doctorhead) and Joey (ThatGuy) in their kicking t-shirts. They were every bit as funny as their tr’s and I absolutely loved meeting them and getting to know them a bit better. I tried to act as Columbia’s goodwill ambassador and convince Travis and Molly to move there. I also marveled at Joey’s own Sorceror’s hat that he made with his own hands. I could definitely see why you would want "that guy" along on your honeymoon! All three of them were simply treasures.

Aww...now I'm getting emotional! You already know how excited we were to meet you, and you were very patient to put up with our almost puppyish need for attention. And just so you know, Trav and I have got no qualms about moving to Columbia, so it's "Your Move, Providence Hospital!" And, if we move down there, I'm going to need a midday drinking partner, and based on your choices thus far in your TR, I think I may have found exactly what I'm looking for!

Travis has his interview down there sometime this month, so perhaps he can meet up with you and Thom for Mint Juleps. That is what y'all drink down in the south, right?

I've been having a blast reading your TR, so keep it coming!

[Jillybean]

Saturday, December 13 Day Three Part Two

Larry and Bob decided to head to DHS to use their TSMM FP’s from this morning while Lesley, Sharon, Eileen and I headed back through the BC lobby. I believe that Lesley was headed back to SSR for a little downtime while the three of us were going back to our room. I totally forgot about us finally seeing Art without a crowd around him until I read it in Eileen’s tr.

I had met him before but this was my first time actually getting to talk to him for some time. He is such a joy and you can see why he has so many fans. I have never met someone with a more upbeat outlook on life. Once we pulled ourselves away from Art (and that is hard to do because he has so many good stories ), we said to Lesley and headed for our room.

Eileen put her feet up for a rest and Sharon sat down for a bit of computer time, so I decided to take the opportunity to walk to DHS and use the FP for TSMM that was burning a hole in my pocket. This ended up being a good plan for another reason because I had a big dinner coming up and I needed to work off my late lunch!

It was such a lovely walk and, before I knew it, I was entering the gates and heading right towards TSMM. I was quickly through the FP line and in a car by myself. Something told me that I was going to win! I don’t even remember my score, but I do remember having a blast. As soon as I was finished, I walked right back out the gates and back to the BC.

Once in the room, I discovered that Eileen had never taken her nap because she and Sharon were so enthralled with the responses from Bob, Karen and Thom on her blog. We quickly dressed, got pretty and headed out front to catch a taxi to the WL - - for treating, Eileen! This was definitely the way to go because we arrived in plenty of time before our ADR.

It was a good thing that we were early because the gigantic tree in the lobby stopped us in our tracks.



This place just oozed Christmas and you could immediately see why this hotel was so popular at this time of year. There was a PP photographer taking pictures of people in front of the tree and she happened to not be busy, so we gave her some business. Sharon has these pictures, so you’ll just have to wait to see how ab-so-tively gorgeous we are!

We were soon joined by the rest of our party and immediately escorted to a big table in the center of the room. Um . . . apparently our reputations had not proceeded us to AP if they were going to put us smack dab in the middle of the room.

As soon as we were seated, Larry and Bob announced that they would like to choose and pay for our wines that evening. As if we weren’t all giddy enough already . . . that practically put us over the edge! It was such a treat to watch them muse over the wine selections, debate and then confer with the sommelier. Now I love wine, but these two know wine. They were so very gracious in sharing their expertise and their company . . . okay, I’ll stop gushing now.

After the wine selections were made, we began making the all-important food selections. At first, I was going to choose the spinach salad for my appetizer, but when I discovered that Bob was selecting the venison spring rolls I decided to be a bit adventurous myself (since I knew I would be bypassing the buffalo ).

So . . . for my appetizer, I selected the Crisp Venison Spring Rolls with hot sweet and sour sauce. For my entrée, it was pretty simple. I adore scallops so I couldn’t see past the scallops served with risotto (the scallop dish on Allearsnet isn’t the one that I had).

After we ordered, Joan started pulling out the presents. First, she gave us these gorgeous Mickey head wine charms which actually blinked! Then, as if that wasn’t enough, she pulled out personalized tiaras of our very own. Larry and Bob actually looked a little relieved when she told them that she didn’t make one for them. Of course, the rest of us immediately donned our tiaras so that the entire restaurant would be aware of our royal status. We even placed Karen’s tiara on her wine glass - - even though she wasn’t physically there, she was definitely there at her place of honor between Bob and me. I think I may have even started talking to her as the night wore on and the alcohol flowed.

Then it was Lesley’s turn and she gave each of us the sweetest Mickey head ornament that immediately went on my tree as soon as I returned home. You guys are the greatest!

Bob and Larry ordered four bottles of wine for the table . . . two reds, a Riesling and a white wine blend. Since I was eating scallops, I elected to try the white wine blend, Evolution no.12. I was already a fan of Evolution no. 9 since I usually drink that when Thom and I visit our favorite seafood restaurant in Columbia (the Bonefish Grill chain), so I knew I would love it! And I did!

Bob, Joan and I shared that bottle and all agreed that it was perfection. By this time, the manager of AP had been drawn to our table and was helping to pour the wine. After Bob had tasted the Evolution no. 12 and had given his approval, the manager began pouring my glass and Bob began explaining the nuances of the wine. Apparently the manager was quite impressed (as we all were ) because he silently reached into pocket, pulled out his keys and handed them over to Bob asking him to lock up for him tonight. We all got such a laugh out of the interaction plus I think we’ve found Bob’s retirement job - - sommelier at AP!



Our appetizers were soon served . . . and I absolutely loved mine! So much so that I forgot to take a picture until they were long gone. The venison was not a strong flavor at all and paired perfectly with the sweet and sour sauce and the wine.



Continued in next post . . .

[Jillybean]

Sharon sat beside me and had the spinach salad for an appetizer. I couldn’t help but notice that she had left a hidden Mickey on her plate (there may have been a little set design going on first . . . okay, I was playing with Sharon’s leftover food . . . I admit it . . . blame it on the Evolution no. 12 ).



Then the scallops arrived and all talking ceased for a while. They literally melted in my mouth and were the best scallops that I have ever had - - and I’ve had me some scallops in my life! The accompanying risotto was also delicious and I finished every single solitary bite!



When the subject of dessert was broached, there was really no question as to if I would have dessert or what I would have (although I would have considered the “Coffee Three Ways” if that still had been on the menu). I, along with most of the table, went with the Artist Point Cobbler - Seasonal berries and housemade black raspberry ice cream.

Larry and Bob also ordered bottles of the ice wine for the perfect dessert companion. I asked our server to take a picture of us toasting to this extraordinary dinner and the two men who arranged it.



Once our dessert arrived, about all you heard were spoons clanging against dishes and sighing. What a delicious way to end our meal!



Now there was a bit of disruption at our table during dessert when Eileen began recounting our B&C dessert experience from earlier that day to Joan. As she described Larry holding on to the sundae glass to keep it from falling into his lap and what she told him could happen if this occurred, she came out with something that was far different and far funnier than what she had originally said. Eileen and Larry both turned bright shades of red , but the rest of us simply erupted in laughter. What made me laugh even harder was the fact that Bob, who was sitting across from me, and Sharon, who was sitting beside me, were literally shaking with laughter.

Even after the initial outburst, we never completely recovered. I was trying to eat my cobbler and contain myself, but then I would see Sharon trying to suppress a smile out the corner of my eye and I would start again. We all had tears rolling down our cheeks by the end of this meal.

I had noticed that Bob had a small manila envelope with him throughout our meal and, moments after we had finished dessert, I realized that the envelope was all part of Larry and Bob’s grand plan for the night. As a matter of fact, it was the piece de resistance!

Bob explained that he and Larry had mulled over a way to commemorate this meal for many months. Finally, the idea of a pin came up and the designs flew back and forth between them for some time. From the excitement in their voices, you could tell that they had a blast creating this pin. And the pride when they revealed this true work of art was evident (yes, I did still this picture ).



I was just speechless when Bob handed me this gorgeous pin. As if the delicious food, fine wine and undeniably fabulous company wasn’t enough, we now had a memento of this experience into which these two wonderful men had poured their heart and soul.

Continued in next post . . .

[Jillybean]

Bob and Larry were even kind enough to give pins to the wonderful staff that had helped to make our meal so memorable. The manager was so touched that he came back with special Tinkerbell pins for each of us.



Some meals are just about the food, but this meal wasn’t called “The Bob and Larry Dining Experience” for nothing. It was an experience of the highest kind which was perfectly described with the words on the bottom of the pin “Good Friends, Good Food.” Larry laughed when he told me “I thought I would die when I saw Karen’s present to you the day before” meaning my wall signs inscribed with “Good Wine, Good Food, Good Friends.” This was meant to be the theme of our trip . . . and rightly so.

After waiting a while for our bills to be separated and then put back together again (not that we really cared that we were forced to dawdle over the remains of our ice wine and laugh a little (okay a lot) more), we rolled out of AP happy, full, tired and slightly tipsy. We said goodbye to Joan, Mary Jean and Louise in the lobby before the rest of us headed out to the boat dock to catch a boat to MK and then a bus back to YC/BC.

A boat was just leaving as we made our way down the dock, but none of us were interested in running for it! From some of the texts that Eileen had received from Karen (namely “You spent so much time at AP that Spectro is out. Are you even going to attempt Wishes? ) , we had a feeling that there was some good stuff out on Eileen’s blog. Thanks to Larry’s handy dandy iPod, he was able to give us a blow-by-blow of the running comments from Karen, Bob, Calder and Thom. Not only were the comments hilarious, but Larry’s dramatic reading of them had us in tears once again. I was literally standing on the boat dock with tears streaming down my face.

A boat soon arrived and I was a bit worried when I saw that it was an open air one. Although not nearly as cold as the night before, it was a big chilly that evening. We piled in the back of the boat - - isn’t that where all the wild and crazy people sit? The amazing thing was that when the boat started moving across Bay Lake, I wasn’t cold at all. Apparently I had a good bit of a certain liquid internal heating agent in my body. It was a glorious evening and I couldn’t think of a place I would rather be than scooting across the lake laughing with such good friends.

Once at the MK bus stop, we said to Lesley as she veered off for an SSR bus while the five of us waited for a YC/BC bus. It wasn’t too long before we were on our way. We dropped the fellas at YC and were soon at BC winding (and re-directing Eileen ) down the long and plentiful halls. Sleep came quickly that night! What a day. . . what a day . . . what a day . . . pure magic!

Up next . . . we make up for lost time!

[emtpej]

Wow! What a day!

[mcc0313]

What an amazing dinner...a great group of friends, great wine, good food and the pins. The pins were just so perfect. Glad that you all shared this wonderful experience together and had such a great evening.

[disney_duke]

A fantastic evening on top of a great day. There's always magic to be had, even if you're not spending every waking moment in the parks. What a great story!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great day and a great dinner!! Glad you were able to find the dog tag machine!! Can't wait to hear about the rest of the night!!

[Belle*]

Great day!

[tinker_me_happy]

What a lovely time you are having!!! More Please!

[LLaffinPlace]

Originally Posted by Jillybean

Jill, thank you for your wonderful description of the meal and the pictures. It was such a special evening, made extra special by being able to share one of our favorite places with you ladies!