Trip Report From Batuu to the Boardwalk...and Beyond!

We're back from an absolutely wonderful trip that involved many firsts! As many times as we have been to Disney, we are always looking to try new things and find new favorites, and this trip was no exception! If you read my PTR (here) you will know that we actually went on two trips back-to-back; many of you questioned my sanity when I posted about the short trip, but you'll have to keep reading to find out exactly how crazy it was. If you're ready for food, drinks, and DRAMMA, you have come to the right place!

 

[bee]

2-6, cont.

My brother and I were texting back and forth and planned to meet up soon. In the meantime, M and I wanted a few more kiosk snacks.

BIRDS

Finally we arrived at The Alps

I swear I took this the right way...

Frozen Rosé – $9.00

Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes, Cornichons and Baguette (V) (KA) – $5.00

These were both good, especially the CHEESE! @dizfan917

My brother wasn't at Epcot yet so obviously we needed more refreshments...

Strawberry and mango frozen margaritas

My brother arrived about an hour and a half before IllumiNations was to begin. We picked a bench near the International Gateway to camp out and wait for the show. M saved it while Jay and I ran back and forth to get food and drinks.

View from the bench

Busy Brazil

From Ireland: Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread (V) – $5.00

Brehon Brewhouse Killanny Red Ale – $4.50

Up next: Beers and the Bench!

 

[Swissmiss]

Your raclette looks more like it should (though it isn’t eaten with bread). I just commented in @wdisney9000 ‘s thread that his raclette looked positively awful, so it’s good to know that wasn’t how it was being served to everyone.

 

[bee]

Your raclette looks more like it should (though it isn’t eaten with bread). I just commented in @wdisney9000 ‘s thread that his raclette looked positively awful, so it’s good to know that wasn’t how it was being served to everyone.

Disney isn't exactly known for their authenticity when it comes to international foods...

I wonder if mine was good because it was opening day and the quality has declined as the festival has continued.

 

[myhappyplace]

I’ve got to admit, I love chocolate and I love avocado, but the combination does NOT sound appetizing. My thought was just « why? »

I have made really delicious cocoa avocado truffles in the past, so maybe it depends on the amount of each?

 

[bee]

I have made really delicious cocoa avocado truffles in the past, so maybe it depends on the amount of each?

Definitely depends on proportions and other ingredients. The toast was trying to be healthy so there weren’t additional delicious ingredients (sugar, other fats, etc.). Avocado has such a gentle flavor that when combined with stronger flavors it just adds creaminess and a bit of nuttiness so I’m sure some chocolate/avocado combos would be delicious!

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

I’ve got to admit, I love chocolate and I love avocado, but the combination does NOT sound appetizing. My thought was just « why? »

Actually, a lot of vegan puddings are made with avocado and chocolate. They are REALLY good and decadent! I think it’s something you have to try to understand

 

[bee]

2-6, cont.

Jay and I went to the Rose and Crown to get another beer...

...and another...

...and another...

...

Because who can watch fireworks without a drink in hand?? (Maybe that's why I only watch MK fireworks from California Grill or Trader Sam's???)

These suckers actually STOOD on the bridge to watch the show! THEY STOOD!

Notice all the boats!

After the show we said goodbye to OUR bench.

Skylinersssss

M and I went back to our room and Jay took a Lyft back to his hotel.

Up next: Our last full day. More Food! More Wine!

 

[bee]

Trip 2, Day 7: Friday, August 30

We slept in (surprise!) and got ready to meet M's parents for breakfast since they were driving home this day.

We met in the lobby and headed to Belle Vue Lounge for breakfast. Unfortunately they didn't have any breakfast sandwiches without meat, so we picked off the bacon and gave it to FIL.

CWAFEE

We saw this outside...someone had an interesting night

The in-laws wanted to try Ample Hills. One problem: it didn't open until noon and it was only 11:00. So instead, we settled for Mickey bars.

We all hugged goodbye and then MIL and FIL hit the road. But don't worry, we'll see them again in a few weeks!

Up next: Something I never thought I'd see at Disney!!!

 

[dizfan917]

That cheese fondue in Ireland was AMAZING!! We decided to skip the Raclette because I read a number of opinions on it that were not very complimentary. I'm glad you enjoyed it! You guys drank more in this last post than Kevin and I did on our whole trip.

I guess it's a good thing that I didn't get the Deluxe Dining Plan after all...

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

After the in-laws left, M and I walked to Epcot.

It's our bench!

Even closer to our bench!

We had a Frozen FP with my brother. While we waited for him (and the FP window) to arrive we rode Gran Fiesta Tour.

The rainbow shirt made another appearance!

Hmmm, no FP yet and no brother yet. What to do??

Obviously! (But we shared this time)

We went back inside the pyramid to wait because it was SOOOOO HOOOOTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!

And so did everyone else, because it started raining

After a few minutes we braved the (light) rain and met my brother to ride Frozen.

It was time for a snack! Since The Alps was nearby we decided to get another Raclette!

But the cash registers were down because of the storm!!

Most of the kiosks were accepting cash only and weren't allowed to serve alcohol. Luckily for me I had some cash so we were able to get the Raclette!

I've never seen this happen at Disney! Lots of guests were veeeeeery upset.

Up next: Will the kiosk cash registers ever work again???

 

[dizfan917]

grrrr... we totally should have tried it. You had it TWICE!!! jealous.

 

[MinnieM123]

I've never seen this happen at Disney! Lots of guests were veeeeeery upset.

I've heard of their registers going down before. It doesn't happen often, but it does. I carry cash, so have been able to get by, if necessary.

Not that I know anything about IT systems, but you would think that there would be some sort of back-up system that would kick in, when the main system went out. (Kind of like when power goes out in a hospital, but then the generators turn on and keep the power going, until the main electrical system turns back on.)

 

[bee]

grrrr... we totally should have tried it. You had it TWICE!!! jealous.

I hope it comes back in a future year and you get to try it!

I've heard of their registers going down before. It doesn't happen often, but it does. I carry cash, so have been able to get by, if necessary.

Not that I know anything about IT systems, but you would think that there would be some sort of back-up system that would kick in, when the main system went out. (Kind of like when power goes out in a hospital, but then the generators turn on and keep the power going, until the main electrical system turns back on.)

Some people were sooooo super upset by it. I get it, you’re on vacation, things aren’t supposed to go wrong...but Disney isn’t in some kind of magical bubble unaffected by the real world (as much as we all like to be “in the bubble”). Also, only some of the kiosks were affected and none of the permanent QS or TS were affected. So sure, some people missed out on things temporarily during the storm, but it’s not like ALL the food places shut down. I wonder how people on the dining plan fared, though. I have heard of guests needing to go to their hotel front desk to adjust their credits when they had to pay OOP instead of using their credits for some reason or another.

 

[Gurt]

I did not know you could claim your credits back if you have to pay OOP a big storm caused the kiosks to go down on our last trip not that it really matters to us as we always have left over credits and not just snack ones!

 

[bee]

I did not know you could claim your credits back if you have to pay OOP a big storm caused the kiosks to go down on our last trip not that it really matters to us as we always have left over credits and not just snack ones!

I mean, I have never done it myself because I’ve never used the DDP, but I have heard of people getting refunded and having their credits used instead when something unusual happens.

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

Since many F&W kiosks were down and we were right by Norway we stopped in Kringla for drinks and snacks.

Viking Coffee!

I think my brother got his own Viking Coffee and also had a school bread. We enjoyed them in the seating area.

Since the kiosks were still down at this point and we were all getting hungry for a real lunch, I checked the app and snagged us a reservation for somewhere Jay had never been and M and I had only been once. We made the journey around World Showcase to get there.

CLOSED!

GHOST TOWN!

Have you guessed where we went yet?

We arrived right at our reservation time and waited a few minutes to be seated.

M and I started with drinks. I honestly don't remember what she got, but I had the Cucumber Cooler. Our server verified that I like Rye because it's a prominent flavor in the drink, and I said YES! It was very good. It was a bit savory and not too sweet and I'd definitely get it again!

BREAD

M and I shared the Farmhouse Salad

We also shared the Asian Dumplings, and my brother got this as well

AND my brother (also vegetarian) ordered poutine with a vegetarian gravy alternative. He shared a bit with us and OMG. SO. GOOD.

Everything was very good and the service was excellent. I would go back just for the veg version of the poutine. M and I ordered an appropriate amount of food but Jay regretted ordering so much and needed a box.

Up next: Naptime!

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

After lunch we all exited Epcot.

They sounded good...whoever they are

STORE FOR AIR CONDITIONING

My brother had plans to go back to Galaxy's Edge but he needed a place to put his boxed up food so he left it in our fridge before taking a boat to DHS.

I'm soooo glad that when housekeeping "takes out the trash" they also leave this helpful sponge for the guest to do their own cleaning...

M and I didn't actually nap this day but we did relax in the room. Some channel was showing a Harry Potter marathon so we watched the end of the third movie and all of the fourth.

The three of us had a dinner reservation so after resting/Hollywood Studios we made plans to meet at the Boardwalk.

I get the other cute stuff on display at the Boardwalk but...a partially eaten cake??

Up next: A ridiculous sunset!

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

M and I waited on the Boardwalk for Jay, who was on a Friendship from Hollywood Studios.

I took this for MIL who didn't believe that the rooms above the restaurants are real until she saw the guy in red on the balcony

A group of young adult friends saw me taking photos of the sunset and asked me to take their picture with the sunset in the background. Of course I agreed and took several for them at different angles. Later we saw them again in Epcot and they thanked me and said the pictures were great. There may or may not have been alcohol involved in their enthusiasm.

Up next: IT'S OUR LAST NIGHT AND LAST ILLUMINATIONS

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

We had a bit of time until dinner so we watched Impressions de France.

Hidden Mickey??

We all enjoyed the movie, especially the music!

Up next: A bit of exploration

 

[bee]

2-7, cont.

We still had about half an hour until our reservation so we went deep into the Morocco pavilion and admired the details.

Up next: MORE-rocco!