Trip Report A Trip of Upgrades, Pixie Dust and Unfortunate Events

Just arrived home about 24 hours ago and should be cleaning the house and finishing up laundry but wanted to share some of the magic that was our trip. As the title indicates like anything in life, this trip was filled with wonderous moments and disappointments. And Here we go....

Friday September 13th: We pulled out of the driveway right around 1pm and I was miserable. My sinuses were giving me fits and causing me the worst tooth ache I think I have ever experienced. After 4 long hours at school, all I wanted to do was sleep. And that is exactly what I did. I slept for the first 3 hours of the trip. Thankfully, my daughter was of the same opinion and she slept about the same amount of time. By the time we woke up we were starving so we stopped at our usual (McDonald's) and ate. Stretched the legs and hopped back in. We made it all the way to Valdosta, Ga that night. We probably could have made it to Orlando but my husband wanted to stop to meet up with some guys he plays Zombies with on Playstation so stopped we did. Nice hotel. I went straight to sleep. My Daughter was wide open though so it didn't last long.

The next morning we got back on the road and once we hit I75, we stopped. Seriously drove maybe 5 miles in an hour. We later found out that a tractor trailer had lost its entire load on the Northbound side. They had it much worse than us heading south. Not much fun though.
Finally made it to Orlando around 1pm so we went to check in to our hotel.

A really nice room with views of Downtown Disney on the 16th floor and all for under a $100. Not bad. Too bad we didn't really get to enjoy it at all.

 

[Jessica Meier]

I must say the China is probably on of my favorite in all of the World Showcase. We walked around and went in the shops because Cadence wanted a pretty fan. So I got to take lots of pictures of the beauty in this part of the WS...

I made Cadence wear the lamp shade hat that she wore on our last visit...

You can spot my Mom and Dad on the bench on the left. Mom is checking her phone for the time. Uh Oh. No more pictures, time to head out of China and head to France!

One last parting shot of China...and then the mad dash to France... I took what pictures I could.

My little hidden gem, don't you worry. I will be back!

 

[Jessica Meier]

Finally after walking straight into the sunlight for the entire voyage, we arrived at our destination. Le Chefs de France....honestly this was not one of my must dos but my Mom insisted. And I am so happy she did. We arrived right on time for our ADR and we did not have to wait but for a little while. My Mom and Dad got into the pin collecting (more my Dad than my Mom and by the end of the trip it had become an obsession between him and Cadence) and a nice lady also waiting to be seated asked Mom to trad pins. My Mom declined but they had a nice conversation anyways. Cadence had to join in...

Carl and I my Dad were just happy with the shade and a bench to sit on. Poor Carl had developed some major blisters over the past couple of days that were the size of silver dollars or bigger. The 3 he developed on his pinky toe were giving him fits on this beautiful day at Epcot. Yes, I said 3. On a pinky toe..

Finally it was time to eat! The only person who was brave in our group was my Dad. He had escargot and Salmon. The rest of us ate the heavenly mac and cheese. Carl ate my appetizer for his lunch. They were nice enough to let us do this and only charge us one sit down meal between the two of us. Sometimes it never hurts to ask. We didn't assume or demand just asked if it was possible and they were very accomodating.

French onion soup...the appetizer Carl ate. He said it was excellant. You can see the child's appetizer in the background. It was a grilled cheese type sandwich that was on bread like a croisssant. Buttery and flaky and really yummy. Surprise, surprise Cadence didn't like it.

 

[Jessica Meier]

This was my Mom's appetizer. The cheese plate. Heaven opened up and the angels sang. Oh my. Goodness. Literally my fave part of the meal. I just used the baguette they brought out for everyone to eat and ate almost every bit of the cheese once my Mom and Dad had ate all they wanted. I will make and ADR purely for this. I dream about it still. I am bound and determined to get a cheese board to serve at every gathering I have at my house purely as an excuse to try to replicate the yumminess. Sigh.

Cadence was doing pretty good and was doing even better with this little guy appeared...

Chef Remy was adorable. And his friend was really quite funny. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Was really sad to hear that they are discontinuing this after next week. Sad. Made me so happy that we actually made the effort to see him this trip.

Was amazed at how much Cadence loved the mac n cheese. We had to force her to eat it and when she finally took a bite, she was like "YUM" and got this huge grin on her face and just kept wanting more. When we were done they came out and sang "Happy Birthday" in french and everyone got their desserts. My mom dreams about the profiteroles, I got the strawberry cake and it was okay. My dad got the sampler of all the various sorbets and it was heavenly. Especially the lemon. I really enjoyed the strawberry sorbet that came with my cake too. Cadence enjoyed her ice cream immensely.

 

[Jessica Meier]

After having very full bellys, it was time to leave the wonderfully relaxing air conditioned peace of Le Chefs. I would definitely go back. We weren't sure what Cadence was really wanting to do so we just headed outside and decided to head into the France souvenir shop that is now a part of the pastry shop. I was sad that they had taken out the artist easels because we couldn't replicate the picture we had of Cadence from our last trip. Ce La Vie.

While we had been inside my Dad had snuck over and found this beauty, so we actually got an even cuter picture of our stinker. Thanks Papa!

Cadence said the only thing she wanted to do was meet Jasmine and Duffy Bear. So off we went to meet up with Jasmine and Aladdin. @HouCuseChickie I was obsessed with the lighting. One day I will have a porch or area of my house that I can hang all kinds of Moroccan lighting and beautiful silk draped everywhere.

I'm a Genie in a Bottle Baby....

More lighting...tell you I am obsessed.

This area is wonderfully themed. The last time we were here, Jasmine and Aladdin were outside doing their meet and greets so we were thankful for the inside cue this time around. Somebody was super duper excited and showing signs of improvement as the day went on.

And then she spotted him...

She was smitten. She was like "Aladdin is so dreamy Momma! Don't tell Daddy."

 

[Jessica Meier]

We met up with Carl and my Dad in the little shop next to the meet and greet building and hung out there for long enough so Cadence could color a Duffy fan at one of the kid stations. My Mom had a conversation with the CM who was on his last week at WDW and headed home. He was really homesick and excited to go home despite that it was supposed to be really cold when he arrived home. Poor thing just looked miserable. He said he had enjoyed being there but the homesickness had been rough. I missed this whole conversation because again I was obsessed with my surroundings. I did pick up on his sadness though. Made me just want to hug him.

More beautiful light fixtures...

So we finished up the Duffy fan and headed to my Dad's favorite part of WS, Japan. My Dad is beyond obsessed with things from Japan. He is a bonsai master and has been doing bonsai for over 15 years. He even built a greenhouse specifically for his bonsai. We explored the store which we always do. So many cool things to look at. We found my Mom trying on Kimonos.

She wound up getting a gorgeous Cherry blossom one. Before long, you know who had to get in on the action.

Cadence came home with this one. Surprise, surprise. Cutest little geisha ever!

While we were inside, the bottom decided to drop out of the sky and it poured buckets. And then stopped and cleared. Gotta love Florida afternoon weather. We were now on a mission to catch the boat to go meet Duffy Bear at the International Gateway.

 

[Jessica Meier]

I had never taken the boat anywhere in Epcot. It was a nice little ride and enjoyable. Finally we arrived and had some time to waste so of course we went in the Duffy gift shop. Cadence got a full sized Duffy and a sailor outfit and several pins. Finally it was time to meet Duffy.

Next up, A Mexican Duck, A Beer Fest and thankful we didn't go to MNSSHP.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Thanks...what I have been going through is in no way as horrible as what you have been dealing with. I just tend to get a little down and go through bouts of this type of thing and sometimes it takes me longer to pull out of them than I would like.

I was happy with the cake. For what we paid ($80 with tax and tip) it was a success. Thank you so much for all your help and advice on it. If we stay at the Contemporary again we will do another. Definitely so much yummier than the frozen cake experience at CRT.

The room was such a blessing and we really wished we had more time. It makes you think about really taking your time and staying for longer so you can really enjoy EVERYTHING at the parks and resorts. We never did get to go to the beach or the pool. Another 3 or 4 days would have been nice so we could have recouped from the sickness and done a little more exploring.

We all go through our phases ... hopefully with Halloween coming up and then the holidays, maybe it will help you perk up. I'm glad this cake was better than the last...having a fresh cake really makes a huge difference. We also usually come away wishing we'd had more time to do this or that. I just also know DH can't stomach going long enough for me to do everything I'd like to do.

Love the pics from up top at the Contemporary. You really don't appreciate how huge that crane is until you see it from that vantage point.

Wonderful that Cadence had such an awesome M&G with Mulan. She must have been so thrilled! The kimono she got is also pretty fabulous Too funny about her comments on Aladdin! The lighting in Morocco is really great. I'm always torn between that and some of the lighting in Mexico if I were to put anything like that outside. Seeing your Duffy pics reminded me...we've still never met him. The girls each have one...but just never have done the M&G. Can't wait to read more!

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

Love your trip
Report thank you for sharing! Cadence is just precious!!!

 

[Jessica Meier]

Sorry I have been MIA lately. Computer issues. Been trying to keep up with everybody via my phone and iPad but haven't been able to write more because I haven't had access to the pics.

 

[Jessica Meier]

So once we met Duffy and Mulan, our little one was fading fast. We had reservations for Biergarten for 5pm and were needing to head in that direction. But first we had to stop in Mexico to see a Duck. Not just any Duck, the Duck. My man Donald. The line wasn't terribly long so we got in it and before too long we were meeting the feisty Duck himself.

We arrived in Germany and I made a quick pit stop in Karamel Kuche and bought the salted caramel milk chocolate and stowed it away in my purse. My parents, Carl and Cadence made their way to the shops and tried to find some ornaments or steins to take home with no luck. We made it to the restaurant and this happened right after we arrived.

It poured for about 5 minutes and then, beautiful skies over Epcot again.

Our name was called shortly after we ran into some Kansas Jayhawk fans and talked basketball for a few minutes. I gotta say I love the theming in this restaurant. So much fun! Drinks were ordered, two beer flights, one huge beer for my dad and a nice glass of rieseling for me. Cadence had apple juice.

They were nice enough to allow Cadence and I to not eat and just sit and enjoy our beverages while my Hubby and parents stuffed themselves with German food. OY OY OY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So everyone enjoyed themselves and it was time to go. We were supposed to head to the MNSSHP on this night, but when we made it back to the hotel it was not looking good. Cadence was hacking and just wheezing horribly bad. We let her lay down and tried to get her to rest. She did for a little while and when she woke up, she was running a temp around 101. That is super high for her. So we knew there would be no Halloween party for us. Thankfully, the package I had ordered from the personal shopper had arrived in our room while we were gone at Epcot. She was super excited about her gifts from us so this softened the blow about not getting to go to the Halloween Party. I called my Mom and Dad and they tried to talk Carl and I into going while they stayed with Cadence but I couldn't leave her. So they stopped by our room and promised to go get her a ton of candy if she would just rest and get some sleep. About an hour after they left I started getting texts about how crazy it was and how we should be thankful we didn't go. When my Mom and Dad stopped back by after they got back from the party, they had wound up just going into shops and buying pins and candy so they didn't have to fight the crowds to go on the trick or treating trails. I swear they probably spent over $150 on suckers and candy. They love their grandbaby!

The next morning, we woke up and Cadence was worse. It was supposed to be our Hollywood Studios day. It wasn't going to happen. She was still running a 101 temp and over the counter stuff wasn't helping. I called my parents to let them know that we were gonna try to take her to the doc. They went on to our Chef Mickey's ADR without us. I told Carl to call the front desk to find out the nearest doc in the box to take Cadence too. They told him to not worry, they would send a concierge doctor to our room. Less than 30 minutes later the nicest, most informative doctor I have ever met was shaking our hands while we were still in our pjs. For a fee of $300 or so Cadence was given a full examination, they tested her for various ailments, and they prescribed a pretty high powered antibiotic to get her back on her feet. She took her first dose before he left our room. It would have cost us that much to go to the emergency room, which we were prepared to do. We got her back in the bed and watching all her old faves on Disney Junior. Around lunch time Carl brought back a huge plate of crackers and cheese and fruit from the concierge level. They gave him everything they had to bring back to us. Cokes, apple juices, waters. It was crazy. We got Cadence to eat a little bit and then she curled up on her Daddy's belly and fell asleep on the couch. Not too long after than I received a phone call on the room phone from the lady Carl had spoken with on the Concierge level. She and her fellow CMs felt horrible that Cadence was stuck in the room all day and they got her a little surprise. I expected a cupcake or something like that. When she arrived, she came in the door that was to our closet, so she could surprise Cadence. She had a Disney Princess storybook that had a card from Mickey and the gang telling her to feel better. There was also a Disney Animator's Princess Mulan Toddler doll. Carl had told them about her getting to meet Mulan the day before and how she was Cadence's fave princess. Pretty special.

 

[Jessica Meier]

Cadence had had two doses of meds by the time Mom and Dad made it back to the room from their excursions that day. They had used it mostly for rest as they had been there a few days longer than us but had managed to get out and about a little. We all agreed we would go up to the concierge level to watch Wishes and feel a little more connected to the bubble. Here are my pics:

 

[Jessica Meier]

 

[Jessica Meier]

 

[Jessica Meier]

We ended our night and tried to go to bed and get some sleep. We would have to say goodbye to our room and the Contemporary in the morning. And depending upon how Cadence felt, we may just leave WDW in the morning as well.

 

[mklively]

Being sick is never fun, but being sick at Disney is worse. Poor Cadence.

 

[Tiggerish]

Sorry to hear about Cadence getting sick on vacation, although it seems like, if you have to get sick, WDW CR is the place to do it...

At least she had a great day of character interactions at Epcot, those were some fab photos with the Fab Five, and of course Mulan, and Aladdin & Jasmine. I love Chefs de France, glad you enjoyed your meal there, and I am with your mom--those profiteroles are my #1 favorite dessert.

 

[disney4life2008]

Outstanding trip report!!!! I loved all the photos and this makes me excited for my trip next month

 

[Jessica Meier]

So realized I never finished. It's been crazy around here since we got back. I think I have been sick like 5 or 6 times and so has Cadence or Carl.

Anywho, our last day we were lucky enough to snag a make up ADR to Chef Mickeys since we had missed ours the day before. Gotta love how accommodating the CM's are when you need it. My mom asked and they told her just to come up when we got ready and they would seat us. Awesome!

Poor baby girl was freezing.... My mom was not amused. They at least brought her a table cloth to wrap around her shoulders.

Rudest Minnie Mouse. She completely ignored everyone and we almost had to tackle her to get her to pose for a pic. Can't win them all!

Pluto got the most love. She almost knocked him over. She sat on his knee and kept giving him kisses and just giggling.

 

[Jessica Meier]

All in all we enjoyed our trip to good ole

Hope we get to visit again soon. We said our goodbyes to my parents who had to catch a ride on the DME. We were headed to MK and praying Cadence's energy held out to at least meet a few more princesses on our list.

 

[Jessica Meier]

Our first stop was the brand new, first day open Princess a Fairytale Hall. I think I was more excited than anyone to see this place. We met the nicest family in line who had two daughters and had a blast hanging with them while we went through the line.

We had chosen the Rapunzel/Snow White line purely because we had never met Rapunzel. Rapunzel was so fantastic and funny with Cadence. Snow White was really sweet too. All in all a big success.