Fun, flowers and firsts THREAD 3 OF 7
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joyjoy · 06-09-2004, 02:01 PM

The brekkie sounds like fun. Oh, I know what you mean about guys and those hoochie princesses. Alex made us scour World Showcase (esp France, obviously) looking for Esmeralda. We didn't find her so I ended up taking pictures of him with hot Norwegian chicks, hot Mexican chicks, etc.

Great update! Thank you!

ilovelilo · 06-09-2004, 07:38 PM

Thanks again for the great update! That's so cool that you got to see Jennifer and Dave there (and Dave's parents!) and you got to hear the news before we did!

Looking forward to more of your report!

BritDisFan · 06-09-2004, 08:35 PM

Your breakfast sounded great Cheryl, DBF Allan is also a huge Jasmine fan

.

Karen

Luv2plan · 06-09-2004, 08:43 PM

I've just caught up with your trip report and am loving every minute of it!! I've forwarded sections off to my family to help us bide the time til our own trip to the Flower & Garden festival next year. Thanks so much for your great writing and all your great photos!! Looking forward to more!!

DisneyDreaming · 06-09-2004, 09:02 PM

Great pictures. Waiting to see more and more.

Hope the lightheadedness went away and it wasn't anything serious.

Marylee

**2princessmom** · 06-10-2004, 12:58 AM

Great pictures and as usual a wonderful update! Anxious to hear more!

**chezp** · 06-10-2004, 02:14 AM

Monday 3 May – part two: Stitch and the Genie surprise me!

After breakfast, we took another trip on Maelstrom, mainly so Mark could try his hand at Hidden Mickey spotting. Unfortunately, we ended up with a rowdy group of four kids, which was very annoying. I know people can be loud and they’re only enjoying themselves, but please do think of others. Okay, rant over.

We headed back towards the Beach Club Villas, but ended up stopping off at the American Adventure. We saw that the next show was due to start at 11.30 and as it was 11.20, we decided to wait.

The Hall of Flags

I'm glad we did, but I wouldn't necessarily rush to see it again. The ending was a bit too patriotic for our liking, but all in all, it was a lot better than I expected it to be, although it is a long show. We didn't get out until 12.00 and by then, the rain was starting to come down quite heavily.

It was time to get the umbrella out, just as well we had thought to bring it with us. We took shelter in the shop in Japan, but then I suggested heading over to the shop in Morocco, as we had never been in there before. While we were in there browsing, something very big moved up behind me. I didn't realise what it was at first, as it was blue, which was a bit off putting, but then I turned round and there was the Genie! What a great surprise! I love it when you just stumble on characters in the most unexpected places and of course I had to get a picture with him.

Me with the Genie – note the rain on me!

As well as the unexpected time with the Genie, the visit turned out to be a great choice, as I got a red top in there as well. I spotted it and Mark took one look at it and said “that’ll suit you”. I was expecting a price tag of about $40, but no, it was just $18, so I decided to get it – and a good choice it was too, I’ve worn it a number of times since buying it! Look out for photos of me in this top when we get to the cruise part of my trip report…

We went back out into the rain and wandered back to Japan, as the character bus was meant to be there, but I guess they don't bother in the rain. We made our way back to the room, where we took a break before heading back to Wal-Mart to pick up our photos. Fortunately, this time we didn't get lost on the way there. We got a couple of other things, including a wedding card for Jennifer and Dave. We would’ve had one with us last night, but of course we didn't know about it at that point.

After dropping the photos off in our room, it was off to Guest Services to annoy them. All this planning is great, but you do need to make changes sometimes and this trip was no exception. We hadn't done that many night-time events so far, due to having so many great meals booked in the evenings and I wanted to make sure we didn't miss out. About 15 minutes and two Cast Members later, we had made all the changes I wanted and we were on our way to MGM, using the boat. I think in truth the CM's were probably quite glad to see the back of me!

Once we got into the park, as we got near to the hat, we could see a stage in front with logos depicting MGM's 15th anniversary, 10 years of the Tower of Terror and five years of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. I suspected this might be something to do with Wednesday’s media event, so Mark asked and sure enough, that was what it was doing there. How cool! Hopefully, if we could get the accreditation sorted out, that would be me. At the moment, I didn't have accreditation, although Dave had told me that my name was down, but I would just feel a bit better to have something in my hands to take with me. I had left the CM's at the Beach Club working on that, who were speaking to both special events and media relations.

These topiaries are everywhere – one that escaped from Epcot… Snow White and the seven dwarves just by the Hat at MGM

We headed for the Magic of Animation, not to go round the attraction, as we only had half an hour until our Fantasmic dining package, but so I could meet Lilo and Stitch. Stitch only became my second favourite character after Eeyore on our last trip to WDW, mainly because he tickled my back while I was having my photo taken with him, but also because he was just so much fun. I hadn't even seen the film at that point, but we bought it when we got home.

Well, Stitch didn't disappoint. He was on great form and gave me a kiss just as Mark took the shot, a perfect memory of pure magic.

Another of my favourite photos from this vacation!

Next: a pleasant surprise at Mama Melrose’s and who gave that kid an umbrella?

**chezp** · 06-10-2004, 02:18 AM

Next: a pleasant surprise at Mama Melrose’s and who gave that kid an umbrella?

We wandered through the New York set, mainly so I could get a look at the building work on the new stunt show and just like Soarin’, the sign said that the stunt show will be open for spring 2005. I suspect Disney will want to have both open by Easter in time for the main tourist season and I wouldn't be surprised if they did a big launch of both attractions at the same time. The stunt show seems to have resulted in a lot of rehab work around the New York set and I could see why the Osborne lights weren't out this past Christmas.

Building work at the stunt show

We made our way to Mama Melrose’s, where we had our Fantasmic dining package booked. I really didn't know what to expect, as I had read some very mixed reviews of this place, but we were very impressed. The theming is just wonderful. As soon as we walked in, I was enchanted by how they were creating the flatbreads and they didn't mind me taking photos of it either.

The lobby at Mama Melrose’s

Making the flatbreads

Our server, Kevin was the best we'd experienced so far this vacation. He really did attend to our every need and we were able to have a very leisurely meal, as he didn't rush us. Mind you, they didn't need the tables. The place must have been half full, which does make me wonder about the Fantasmic dining package. Maybe they only have a set number each night, as we all seem to struggle to get later seatings for it.

At Mama Melrose’s, the package is a salad for the two of you (or however many there are in your party I guess), one flatbread and then whatever entree you want, followed by tiramisu. Kevin kept telling us to be creative and order what we wanted. He told us if it wasn't on the menu, the chefs could come up with it. His phrase was “the chefs may not like it, but you'll love it”.

We went for the vine ripened tomato flatbread and for entree, I went for the oak grilled salmon, while Mark went for the Fra Diavoli, seafood in a spicy Marianne sauce over spaghetti. He was warned it was hot and boy did he find out for himself when he went to mop up the sauce. I just had to snap a photo of his discomfort! So the message is if you have that dish, do not mop all the sauce up!

Mark after his experience with the Marinara sauce!

I knew that the tiramisu was the desert on offer with this package, but when it came to desert, Kevin said the magic words, “ice cream” and that was it, sold for me! He offered me chocolate or vanilla or something beginning with “s”. Even once he said it three times, I still couldn't quite make out what he said it was called, but it was some kind of Italian ice cream with chocolate and the pistachio, I think and very nice it was too. I'm glad I let Kevin persuade me to try it.

Including a half pitcher of sangria for Mark and a strawberry colada for me, the meal came to $77.09. Kevin got a very generous $20 tip, but we felt he had been worth every penny. I don't think we've ever had such good service before. If you are going to Mama Melrose’s, then ask for Kevin, as he really will look after you.

Mama Melrose’s – average score: 8.91

Appetiser 8 8½

Entrée 9 9

Dessert 8½ N/A

Service 10 10

Atmosphere 9 9½

Value for money 8 8½

Full after a wonderful dinner

We really did come out of there feeling stuffed, but it was a good feeling. Our FastPass was almost due for the Little Mermaid, so we headed there and we were held in the pre-show area for what seemed like forever. As it was full of kids, one of whom managed to drop an umbrella on my leg (another example of great parenting – who in their right mind gives a five or six year old a golf umbrella to hold?), it was not pleasant in there. I have never waiting that long for this show and it wasn’t nice. I would rather have been outside, not all crammed far too close together in the pre-show area.

When we got in there, we both had the impression that the show was shorter than we remembered. We were both convinced that somewhere along the line, they cut out a scene. This is still an excellent production and there is always more to it than we remember. Even the teenage boy next to me who looked like he really didn’t want to go in, got into it – I’m sure I caught him singing along at one point!

Next: when is a 10 minute wait not a 10 minute wait?

**DopeyGirl** · 06-10-2004, 02:40 AM

Cute pic of Stitch!!! We still have yet to track him down, so we'll have to make our way over to MGM next time!!!

Spumoni was the "other" ice cream, wasn't it?

Love the pic of Mark after the sauce . . . priceless . . . that could go along with one of your past posts of "Other people's pain can be fun."

Looking forward to tomorrow night's post (which actually for you is morning, isn't it?!?!?!)!!!

BritDisFan · 06-10-2004, 05:46 AM

Love the Stitch photo Cheryl

, it sounds like you had a wonderful dinner at Mama Melrose's it was good to hear such a positive review.

Karem

**Colexis Mom** · 06-10-2004, 07:37 AM

Great update Cheryl

Glad to hear that you enjoyed Mama Melrose's, as it has been getting some bad reviews lately! And love that photo with both the Genie and Stitch

Keep it coming

statelady01 · 06-10-2004, 08:26 AM

More great stuff! Love it!

simbarel · 06-10-2004, 08:27 AM

I'm with DopeyGirl, I betcha it was Spumoni (or Spunomi, or Spinoni...or Sununu?) Another great installment...those topiaries are really something else! Looking forward to more...