Trip Report **Complete** It's a meet-up-palooza!

We are back and I gotta get this trip report show on the road before my memory fails! Hopefully my notes and pictures will carry me!

When: Sept 14th - 16th and Sept 16th - 24th, 2019
Where: All-Stars Movies & POP Century Resort
Who: me (Susan) and my husband Scott

If you want to start from the very beginning, a very good place to start, you can access my pre-trip at: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/we-werent-going-until-2020-yeah-right.953038/

 

[Darstarr]

Loving all your meet ups so far! - wondering whose next?

 

[DryerLintFan]

Wednesday Sept 18th - Epcot

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The night before Scott said he wanted to sleep in a little (9am) and somehow, I was able to modify all our fast passes to about an hour later than they were previously.

First up Soarin... this time we got C row 2... so very bent eiffel tower for us!

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While we were waiting in line, I was able to modify Living with the land so we would be able to just walk right over after we were done.

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We got the front row, which was nice! This picture is of the breadfruit at the middle top... we've had it in Jamaica, it's pretty tasty.

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I was amazed at how huge Jackfruit is... It amazes me when I see it used as "vegetarian bbq"

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If you look really close, you can see the empty Mickey head topiary.

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And Scott pointed out the Minnie head, just as I was going to snap a picture =D

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I can't believe how many Eggplant you can grow on one stem!


OK OK.. I'll quit torturing you with plant pictures.

Next we went to spaceship earth, but it was down, so we were headed towards figment (around the huge construction walls) when Scott found the first Food & Wine booth, Coastal Eats... this is where an unintential magician meetup happened! Look who found us! It's @dclfan !!

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It was so nice to finally meet her after we didn't get to connect in 2018. I'm glad she saw me, because I'm generally oblivious, so I may not have seen her!

I've tried bbq jackfruit a few times and maybe I haven't found anyone who knows how to cook it but it is NOT a substitute for pulled pork. Not even if you close one eye and squint with the other. Hard pass.

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

He also got a beer from Shorts brewing...it's a beer we can get here at home.. that they have nicknamed the panty dropper, because it's so fruity that most of the girls love it... and it's pretty high in % that it doesn't take much. I had a sip, and it was indeed tasty! (and I don't like beer)

Was this the mule beer?? It's so good!! We visited Short's this summer and they told us they wouldn't be selling it in stores anymore, but I just saw it at Meijer!

 

[Rista1313]

When we got to the UK, we looked around the shops, but we didn't buy anything this year. Last year we bought a bunch of sweets and some tea from the tea shop.


Last year we got to France and shared a Grand Marnier Slushie... this year we declared NO SHARING!

We stopped to look around the Morrocco pavillion and there was a photopass photographer who didn't have a line, so we got a few pictures taken.

On the way past the american pavillion, Scott started talking to some guy about who was playing on stage tonight. (Everclear) and we talk about how they maybe had 1 hit... but we were walking along when I realized I'd missed one of the food booths I wanted to try... Hops & Barley... they had a Lobster roll I needed. It did have a bunch of lobster on a small bun, but I wasn't crazy about the sauce... it tasted ok... but there was too much.. and I ended up scraping most of it off.

Scott had the carrot cake. I'm not a fan of cream cheese frosting, it's too sweet, so I only had a small bite of his.

and I was ready for one last booth... Scott said, "You aren't done eating yet?" Sigh... I should have took his advise because this next portion in italy was so huge I didn't get to eat it all... I should have saved it for our 2nd day in Epcot.. but Ces't la vie!

We stopped at the Italy booth for:

Ravioli Carbonara: Parmesan and Pecorino Ravioli, Egg Yolk, Cream, and Bacon
It was 5 huge ravioli!

No regrets!

We looked at the shops in Germany, always in awe of the clocks there. My great grandparents and my mom both had one. I'm not sure where they went.

In China we were waiting to go into the big circlevision theatre to watch the show, but we decided to stop and watch the acrobats first... until the tall man came along and stood in front of us. That happened a lot this week.

As you can see, the skies in this picture were looking a little ominous, so we decided to head on into the theatre. We enjoyed the film, and by the time it was done, the rain had come and gone.

Our next stop was the Japan store... the one place I had prepared for us to buy things, but ultimately, Scott didn't find anything he needed, and I was only doing Pick-a-Pearl... I hadn't done it since I was a little girl, and for some reason I felt I wanted to this time. They told me the wait was 20 minutes, but it really ended up being about 40. I had heard a pro-tip on one of the podcasts I listen to, that suggested to buy a pearl cage and a chain beforehand, so you didn't need to pay Disney prices for settings... what a great tip that was!

I ended up with this beauty which has a goldish pink tint to it... I forgot my cage back at the room, so when we got back, I put it in this:

I was happy with my choice!

and we moved onto Mexico. Scott did some pin trading and we took a little boat ride.

After looking at some of the coco exhibit on our way out, we decided to call it quits for the afternoon. Scott wanted a nap, and we were definitely done eating!

 

[Rista1313]

Was this the mule beer?? It's so good!! We visited Short's this summer and they told us they wouldn't be selling it in stores anymore, but I just saw it at Meijer!

No, it's Soft Parade. It's pretty tasty!

Actually it could be Mule.

 

[Nunu]

I ended up with this beauty which has a goldish pink tint to it...

Wow! That's a great tip tip, thanks for sharing it!
❤ your pearl necklace!

 

[DryerLintFan]

When we got to the UK, we looked around the shops, but we didn't buy anything this year. Last year we bought a bunch of sweets and some tea from the tea shop.


Last year we got to France and shared a Grand Marnier Slushie... this year we declared NO SHARING!

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We stopped to look around the Morrocco pavillion and there was a photopass photographer who didn't have a line, so we got a few pictures taken.

View attachment 415183

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On the way past the american pavillion, Scott started talking to some guy about who was playing on stage tonight. (Everclear) and we talk about how they maybe had 1 hit... but we were walking along when I realized I'd missed one of the food booths I wanted to try... Hops & Barley... they had a Lobster roll I needed. It did have a bunch of lobster on a small bun, but I wasn't crazy about the sauce... it tasted ok... but there was too much.. and I ended up scraping most of it off.

Scott had the carrot cake. I'm not a fan of cream cheese frosting, it's too sweet, so I only had a small bite of his.

View attachment 415185

and I was ready for one last booth... Scott said, "You aren't done eating yet?" Sigh... I should have took his advise because this next portion in italy was so huge I didn't get to eat it all... I should have saved it for our 2nd day in Epcot.. but Ces't la vie!

We stopped at the Italy booth for:

Ravioli Carbonara: Parmesan and Pecorino Ravioli, Egg Yolk, Cream, and Bacon
It was 5 huge ravioli!

View attachment 415186

No regrets!

We looked at the shops in Germany, always in awe of the clocks there. My great grandparents and my mom both had one. I'm not sure where they went.

In China we were waiting to go into the big circlevision theatre to watch the show, but we decided to stop and watch the acrobats first... until the tall man came along and stood in front of us. That happened a lot this week.

View attachment 415188

As you can see, the skies in this picture were looking a little ominous, so we decided to head on into the theatre. We enjoyed the film, and by the time it was done, the rain had come and gone.

Our next stop was the Japan store... the one place I had prepared for us to buy things, but ultimately, Scott didn't find anything he needed, and I was only doing Pick-a-Pearl... I hadn't done it since I was a little girl, and for some reason I felt I wanted to this time. They told me the wait was 20 minutes, but it really ended up being about 40. I had heard a pro-tip on one of the podcasts I listen to, that suggested to buy a pearl cage and a chain beforehand, so you didn't need to pay Disney prices for settings... what a great tip that was!

View attachment 415189

I ended up with this beauty which has a goldish pink tint to it... I forgot my cage back at the room, so when we got back, I put it in this:

View attachment 415190

I was happy with my choice!

and we moved onto Mexico. Scott did some pin trading and we took a little boat ride.

View attachment 415191


After looking at some of the coco exhibit on our way out, we decided to call it quits for the afternoon. Scott wanted a nap, and we were definitely done eating!

That's really pretty!! What happens during the pick a pearl experience?

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

No, it's Soft Parade. It's pretty tasty!

Actually it could be Mule.

If you think Soft Parade is good, you HAVE to have the Soft Parade Shandy!!!

 

[Rista1313]

If you think Soft Parade is good, you HAVE to have the Soft Parade Shandy!!!

I'm not sure if I do or not... I don't love beer!

 

[Rista1313]

That's really pretty!! What happens during the pick a pearl experience?

So once they call your number, you go up to the counter and have you pick an oyster (then they make a big production, by teaching you how to bow and count to 3 in Japanese.) (they also have camera's, and are displaying their hands shucking the oyster on the wall so other people can watch) They keep up the big production while opening the oyster, rifling around for the pearl, then they show you the pearl, and then put it in some sand or salt or some kind of grainy substance to clean it, and then they polish it, and of course make a big production of sizing it for you. Then they usually play some sort of beat on their drums (they played me the mickey mouse march) and send you on your way.

 

[Rista1313]

Let's finish up the day!

When we got back to the room... no towel art, but the stuffies were waiting.

And this was waiting... which had me very confused. I did not put any special occasions on my profile, nor did Hubby tell anyone that the following week was my birthday.

But from here on after, every time I scanned my magic band for rides, etc, I was told Happy Birthday! So I'm not sure who told or if it was just my profile!

Nap time was in effect for Scott, and I went Swimming. And I know there was some Food Network watching.

Later in the evening 9ish? we decided to go to the Character outlet. So we got a Lyft there, and I was so surprised at how empty the shelves were. Scott did find a Jack Skellington zip hoodie in his size that he liked. I debated on a pair of pink ears for $2.99... but I realized I hadn't worn any of the ears I brought this trip, so why should I buy them even if they were $2.99 if I wasn't going to wear them... so I didn't. I also saw a bubble wand for the same price that I considered too LOL... then I snapped out of it. The plan was to leave here and go to Disney Springs to use our QS credits to get dinner... we never eat that late, but we were finally hungry that late after eating all around the world showcase.

We took a lyft from the outlet mall to Disney springs... we took a lot of Lyft's and Ubers this trip. Luckily I had gotten a 25% off Lyft Mon-Fri until the day we left, so we got them a little cheaper.

We ended up eating at Cooke's of Dublin because fish and chips sounded good to me, and a meat pie sounded good to Scott. We got there, and they were out of meat pie, so Scott settle for a dish called Pig in a box... he was so happy, he loved it! My fish and chips were really good...

Let's pretend there is a BIG piece of fish here.... I didn't remember to take the picture before eating it!

Then we went shopping. Scott had been bugging me about finding something for my birthday... and I told him there was definitely something I wanted over at Alex and Ani.

Behold, my Birthday present!

After that we were tired and had a semi early morning, so we road the bus back to POP.

Up Next: A plan comes together

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

I'm not sure if I do or not... I don't love beer!

I don't love it either, but this one I think you will like. Imagine the beer mixed with lemonade!

 

[DryerLintFan]

That bracelet is so darn cute!!

 

[Rista1313]

That bracelet is so darn cute!!

I almost said no because it's ridiculous how much they charge for these bracelets! But hubby insisted.. he has a hard time finding me presents.

 

[Tuvalu]

Love your matching All American Mickey shirts!

 

[Swissmiss]

Reading your post about the Bailey’s and beer reminded me that I had a bottle of Strawberries and Cream Bailey’s I purchased in a moment of weakness. It’s not bad - it smells like strawberries, but it tastes almost like a normal Bailey’s, maybe a tad sweeter.

 

[Rista1313]

Love your matching All American Mickey shirts!

Thanks, I got them last year spring on clearance on the shopdisney.com for $5.99 each (and I waited for a free shipping day) Scott didn't see his shirts beforehand, and he has comment twice that he really likes this shirt!

eta: and I just went to wake him up from his nap, and guess what shirt he's wearing again!?

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

If you think Soft Parade is good, you HAVE to have the Soft Parade Shandy!!!

Ooh. I’ll have to try that. Soft Parade is one of my favorite beers (and pretty much the only non-stout that I’ll drink)

 

[Gurt]

Last to the party as per usual but I am here now. Plane guy just no, towel art definitely poop emoji, love all your shirts, love all the food, DO NOT love all the construction and loving your meet ups looking forward to the rest.

 

[Gurt]

And I do all the sayings, (apart from the dog one never heard that before but in the UK we say flees not ticks) but I swing cats, skin cats, flog dead horses, rains cats and dogs, kill birds with stones, at this rate PETA and the RSPCA will be locking me up lol!