Our Stop and Smell the Roses (a.ka. ditching the itinerary) Trip Report- COMPLETE!! 2/16 - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Your DH's birthday sounds so wonderful up to the point of entering Narcoose's. The breakfast at LTT looked so scrumptious and riding all his favorites! But that was ridiculous, especially from the manager, at Narcoose's. Shame on her!
Your DH's birthday sounds so wonderful up to the point of entering Narcoose's. The breakfast at LTT looked so scrumptious and riding all his favorites! But that was ridiculous, especially from the manager, at Narcoose's. Shame on her!
Breakfast at LTT was great -- I'd recommend it to anyone going before they end its run!
I woke up today determined to get a fresh start and to make a concerted effort to slow down and enjoy the moment (the "stop and smell the roses" part of the title ).
We had planned to take a break from the parks today but since the weather was supposed to be beautiful and everyone's energy levels seemed to be good, we decided to spend some time in Epcot. We let DD sleep in a bit and DH brought up breakfast from the lounge.
Around 10 a.m. we hopped on the monorail over to the TTC so we could switch to the Epcot monorail. Things were running slow this morning -- the monorail had to stop and wait for a few minutes several different times. I didn't time it exactly, but I think all totaled it took us about 45 minutes door-to-door to get to Epcot.
We'd decided that we'd focus on WS today so we headed straight towards Canada. On the way I noticed this menu in front of the snack stand:
The menu was the same when we were there later in the week but I was wondering if they change it periodically to different international cuisines -- sort of like a mini-F&WF.
As we approaced Canada we noticed that some big gates were opening (I think this was where Millennium Village was in 2000) -- I peered in and there were about 6 or 8 characters standing there! I thought for sure they were headed to the countries but the CM gestured for us to come on in! It was an interesting mixture -- June from LE, Max, Rafiki, Gideon, Pinnochio and Gepetto. I think there were a couple more but it happened so fast I can't remember - these are the ones we met. I think King Louie was also there but we didn't get to him in time. After about less than 10 minutes they quickly shut the gates and said the gang had to leave for a photo shoot. I'm not sure what was going on but we sure were at the right place at the right time!
Our first stop was the U.K. where DD made a Kidcot mask. We were sorry that we were too early for the Tigger and Pooh meet, but we made a mental note for later in the week. I thought this display of Chesire Cats was cute:
This shot shows how blue the sky was that day -- love it.
We stopped at the KimPossible station near the bridge to the International Gateway to pick up our Kimmunicator.
We got the France mission but before we could start we had to stop to meet Marie. She is so cute! Love this picture of her with the Marie doll I bought for DD earlier in the week.
DD really enjoyed the KimPossible mission -- it was cute to see her acting all secretive like she really was a secret agent! I'm not going to post any of the pictures because I don't want to spoil it for others.
Once we were done with the mission we were starting to get hungry so we stopped at Tangerine and DH and I split a schwarma platter. While he was in line I was checking out all the pretty details inside (I guess I never looked up before -- part of that stop and smell the roses thing!).
Lunch was great as always -- I had a momentary time/space confusion when the tray arrived with a holiday cup on it!
DD isn't a fan of the kids' menu at Tangerine so when we were done eating we headed over to Liberty Inn to get her a hot dog. When I was going up to the line I noticed a table set up with candles, a table clothe and a "reserved" sign. By the time I was done getting our food there were people seated there being served by a waitress. I was trying to check it out but couldn't get any more info on what it was. Here's DD's hotdog and apple juice (that is a small, yikes, I was expecting a juice box!). Just a tip - if you ask for the hot dog without the chili topping or fries they knock about $3 off the price.
Once DD was done with her lunch my sweet tooth was calling to me so we headed to the Kringla bakery. On the way we saw the construction set-up for the new pizza location in Italy.
We also stopped in Germany to check out the trains -- I love all the little details. I hadn't noticed most of them before but I put the camera in "macro" and got some fun shots, like this one of all the tiny fruit baskets in the market.
We also stopped in the toy shop to check out DD's latest obsession (thanks to the Boomerang channel) - Smurfs! She used some of her fun money to buy a couple of characters -- Smurfette and Painter Smurf.
We finally made it to the Kringla bakery. Popular place! The line was long so DD and DH went to sit down while I waited. So many yummy choices but I decided to go with a chocolate chip cookie (with viking chocolate disc) for DD and school bread for me and DH to share.
We've had school bread once before on the dessert platter at Akershus but this was like a supersized version. It was soooo good! Tons of delicious pastry cream and I love the coconut and glaze on top. Deeeee-lish!
Another shot of the blue skies (can't get enough):
We only had time for one more attraction and DD picked the ride in Mexico -- always a favorite. On the way out we got a couple of pressed pennies and stopped for pictures with a PhotoPass photog. I'd never seen one inside the building before but it was great because I have a hard time getting a good shot in there because it's so dark.
At this point we had to head back to the hotel because DH had his massage appointment at 3:30 p.m. (I think I forgot to include that in yesterday's post -- I made a little certificate for the spa to include in his birthday card. He was very surprised and happy!).
Up next: Day 4 (part 2) -- afternoon relaxation and a family evening
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I would have burst out crying, too -- so yes, you are among friends who understand -- especially when it's something special you've planned for a loved one's special day. We can all relate to a major disappointment occurring and then trying so hard not to let it affect us -- sometimes that builds the tension up even more, until you've got to .
Your DH sounds like a great guy, and I'm glad your family was able to shrug it off and have fun anyway. And pizza can be good comfort food.
You earned those blue skies! Having a great attitude pays off! Those dessert pics look yummy -- thanks for posting! (I'm heading down in a couple days and can feel my waistline widening already!)
I would have burst out crying, too -- so yes, you are among friends who understand -- especially when it's something special you've planned for a loved one's special day. We can all relate to a major disappointment occurring and then trying so hard not to let it affect us -- sometimes that builds the tension up even more, until you've got to .
Your DH sounds like a great guy, and I'm glad your family was able to shrug it off and have fun anyway. And pizza can be good comfort food.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cindybelle
You earned those blue skies! Having a great attitude pays off! Those dessert pics look yummy -- thanks for posting! (I'm heading down in a couple days and can feel my waistline widening already!)
Aww, you are too sweet. Thank you! And I hear you about the waistline -- I just kept telling myself that we were doing alot of walking to counteract it!
We decided that instead of switching monorails we'd walk to the GF from the TTC (needed to work off some of that school bread 'ya know).
We dropped off DH at the spa and DD and I continued to our building. You can see here how the wind had kicked up that afternoon.
DD and I relaxed in the room until DH got back. When we returned he was raving about the spa and how thoroughly relaxing it was. He asked if he could make an appointment for me to go there later in the week. I told him to hold off (my wheels were turning with another idea, which will come to light tomorrow).
By now it was time to head over to the Poly for our ADR at Kona. We were seated right away and our waiter was friendly and efficient -- the service was super-speedy -- we were in and out in under an hour.
DD had Mickey raviolis, which she loves and were a nice change from hotdogs and hamburgers.
DH and I started off with the duck potstickers. I would've preferred a soy-based dipping sauce instead of the creamy sauce that was on top of them (I think it was mustard based) but we really enjoyed the sweet bread with macadamia nut butter.
For entrees we shared the teriyaki NY strip and the shrimp and scallop dish. Both were very good.
For dessert we couldn't pass up the banana chocolate creme brulee:
All in all this was a great meal and we'd definitely go back to Kona again.
We stopped at Boutiki on the way out so I could pick up the other color of the Fresh Produce t-shirt I'd bought yesterday (I'm a sucker for a sale!). Then we made our way back to the GF in time to watch Wishes from the boat dock.
I was leaning up against the pillar with the light fixture and I glanced behind me to see that it was covered with bugs. (Attracted to the light, which I didn't think of!) I jumped away (and I think screamed a little) much to the amusement of some teenagers sitting on the dock . I was convinced that the back of my sweater was covered in bugs but DH checked me out and gave me that all clear, phew!
At this point I figured it was best if we move away from the light so we headed over to the benches . A nice couple scooched over so DH and I could sit with DD on my lap.
Once the fireworks were over we headed in to bed. We had an early-ish morning coming up as I wanted to be at DHS for rope drop.
I'll leave you with one last funny picture. The toilet paper. Yes, toilet paper -- I just thought it was cool how they stamped the GF logo on it.
Up Next: Day 5 -- falling in love with DHS all over again!
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Sounds like a great day exploring World Showcase and a delish meal at Kona!
It was deeeee-lish!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
You had me at brulee.
Love the TP - that's just deluxe baby.
Big thumbs up on the blue skies. It's so nice to see when winter is usually so dark and grey here.
And I agree about the blue skies -- I couldn't stop looking at them. It's like I'd never seen blue sky before!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGW
Great TR! I'm loving it!
I wonder about the refreshment port . . . are they doing that because the counter service restaurant at Mexico is closed?
I'm dying to be in that warm sunshine and blue skies! I hope we have weather like that next week.
I was thinking that too (about the C/S in Mexico) but then when we got around the loop we saw that they have a temporary C/S set up in Mexico (didn't stop to see how extensive the menu is) so I'm not sure. I wanted to stop for the tostones (love 'em) at the RP but we never made it.
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But that was ridiculous, especially from the manager, at Narcoose's. Shame on her! 
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-- part of that stop and smell the roses thing!).
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. I was convinced that the back of my sweater was covered in bugs but DH checked me out and gave me that all clear, phew!
Deb
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