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

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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!
 

Back!Elbow!Shoulders!

Omnia mutantur, nihil interit
Premium Member
I can't believe I've never tried Tipsy Ducks in Love. I'm not even sure what it is, but you said bourbon and well...that's good stuff.

So should I try or skip?

@bee ‘s description of it is spot on. If you like White Russians you’d likely like this at least once. The one I had in May was quite boozy although I don’t know how likely I am to get it again. I feel like the older I get the more I like bourbon more by itself rather than mixed with a ton of stuff.
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
2-1, cont.

No one had any definite dinner plans for this evening, but most of us were hungry so I checked what reservations were available in the (sloooooow) app. Nothing looked great, so M and I decided to go to Tutto Gusto, and we invited everyone else. Her parents weren't feeling it, but both of our brothers joined us.

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On the way we saw the prep for the Frozen party. Which I'm still salty about.

Tutto Gusto was busy, but luckily there was one large table available near the bar and the entrance to Tutto Italia. And even more luckily, no one else joined us there even though the table was probably meant to seat 8.

Our server brought us COLD WATER and bread to start.

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I have no photos of this, but we all shared a bottle of Rosé. I pretty much never drink Rosé or anything other than red or sparkling wine, but it was sooooo hot that it sounded good. Checking my notes in Vivino I see that it was a Centine Rosso from 2017, and I rated it 4/5, so we must have liked it!

M and I shared the Involtini di melanzane (eggplant rolls) and my brother got a whole one for himself.

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(this is half)

BIL had three panini, though I'm not sure which three he picked. He liked it okay but didn't love it and said some of the cheese tasted like feet. :hilarious:

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Overall it was a great experience and we all had fun catching up. Tutto Gusto is one of my consistent favorites for a drink and/or a meal and I've always had a great time there, so we'll definitely be back!

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IllumiNations would start soon and we all wanted to see it. I really wanted a beer or something and BIL wanted dessert, so we all split up to get fireworks refreshments. The Food and Wine tables were already set up so I grabbed a table between Morocco and Japan. My brother and I decided to both get the strawberry daiquiri from the Morocco drink kiosk. MISTAKE!!!



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This was actually pretty gross. It was just a suuuuuuuuper sweet strawberry slushy with a shot of rum in it. I generally like the slushies from France, margs from Mexico, etc., but this was just NO. NEVER AGAIN.

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M and her brother arrived with this funnel cake, which they were given for free! BIL was kind enough to share his free cake with everyone.

We waited until the start time...


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I didn't take many photos because it was the first of my last IllumiNations viewings. 😿 But we really had a great view.

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After the show we took our time leaving the park. Jay walked out the IG to take a Lyft back to his hotel, and the rest of us walked to the front to catch resort buses. BIL's phone had died and MIL was worried so she instructed us to text her when he got on this bus (we were going back to Pop and he was going to All Star Movies). We watched his bus arrive before ours did and he made it back fine, and we didn't have to wait waaaay too long for a Pop bus. I think we were on the second or third bus and we had to stand, but honestly it would probably be harder to get up from sitting after a long day than to just keep standing for another ten minutes.

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Weird phone!

We were EXHAUSTED from our super long day so we showered and went right to bed!

Up next: Day 2! More Epcot! More confusion! More food! And more drinks!!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Trip 2, Day 2: Sunday, August 25

We got up around 9:00 and took our time getting dressed and eating breakfast. Breakfast consisted of in-room coffee, plus leftovers from yesterday's lunch.

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We are not big breakfast eaters anymore so this was perfect. And, free (or at least we had already paid for it!).

We were really moving slowly today and taking our time because we had a late-ish night ahead of us. Around 11 we left the room and took a bus to...Epcot (duh)! The plan was to meet my BIL, his best friend since high school (F) and F's girlfriend (A). Originally we thought they were joining us the day before and we'd be a group of eight on Saturday, but my BIL got the days mixed up, so we couldn't add them to any FPs on Sunday.

While we waited for the three to arrive, M and I looked around one of the stores near the Epcot entrance.

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GAY MICKEY!!! And also this was happening around when we learned that Spider-Man won't be part of the MCU anymore...

I also HAD to have a photo shoot with this beautiful bee:

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BIL, F, and A arrived soon and we discussed our plans for the day. They would go add whatever FPs they could via the FP kiosks, M and I would ride what we had already planned to ride, and we would meet up later. We also found out that my FIL wasn't feeling well and was going to rest in the room, and MIL suggested that F and A take their two spots at lunch. We were bummed because we had been intending to have a family meal, but we were happy someone else could join us and take their spots. We split up and M and I rode SSE.

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Ah yes that is exactly what M looks like

It was time for a snack!

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Horrible lighting, but you can kind of see my nail art!

Around this time my brother and I were texting back and forth. Originally we weren't going to see him much today because he was meeting up with his local friends, but he decided to come to Epcot for at least a bit to hang out with us. AND during this time MIL was texting and asking if she could still come to lunch even though the reservation was for five and now if she joined us we would be six. I looked online and there were no reservations for six, but there WERE reservations for seven or eight. Sooooo I asked Jay (my bro) if he wanted to join as well and he said sure. I went ahead and made the reservation for eight JUST IN CASE FIL started feeling better and ALSO wanted to join. Are you confused?? Me too!!

Anyway, M and I rode Soarin', and MIL arrived in the park soon. Then BIL, F, and A joined us for LWTL because they had found a FP close to our time. SO, six of us got to ride LWTL together!

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Up next: An unforgettable lunch!
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
2-1, cont.

After our successful (FINALLY) ride on Frozen, all six of us walked back to Future World to ride my FAVORITE ride in all of WDW!

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Hey! This had water in it three days ago!!!

LIVING WITH THE LAND!!! I didn't get a picture, but our boat was number 33, which was the same number as our Gran Fiesta boat earlier.

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🍅🍅🍅

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MIL and I love to sing along with the music at the end (the fast flute runs at the end).


(Not my video)

Up next: Food! And wine! But not Food and Wine...


Love your photos of LWTL. Sometimes, I think I just want to "move in" there and call it home. ;) :joyfull: (I wonder what they'd charge me for rent?) :p
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
I see you stock up on the liquid creamers from the food court like I do!! I can't handle that powdered stuff in the packets!!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Love your photos of LWTL. Sometimes, I think I just want to "move in" there and call it home. ;) :joyfull: (I wonder what they'd charge me for rent?) :p
Thank you! It's such a photogenic ride, and I love that it changes constantly.

I see you stock up on the liquid creamers from the food court like I do!! I can't handle that powdered stuff in the packets!!
Same! The Pop room actually had liquid creamers in the room already, but the Mousekeeper didn't restock us one of the days so we did grab some from the food court.
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
2-2, cont.

We met up with my brother and we were now a group of seven. My FIL still wasn't feeling great so he stayed in their room and rested. We all made the journey to World Showcase to check in...

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...at...

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...

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...Biergarten!

We checked in a minute or two before our reservation and were given a pager. It wasn't long until the pager went off and we were brought inside. Our server was Dieter and he was absolutely FANTASTIC! He took our drink orders and then we all hit the buffet.

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I'm realizing now I hardly took any food photos. Well, it was there and we ate it...

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We all eagerly anticipated the show!

At one point F asked Dieter if they had any hot sauce. Dieter disappeared for quite awhile, then came back with a bottle of Tabasco in hand! He said he had to go "next door" to get it because Biergarten didn't have any in their kitchen!

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Soon the performance began!

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MIL has German ancestry via the Midwest and was itching to polka! She asked BIL to dance but he didn't want to...but F volunteered!

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We were there at the end of the lunch period so very few people got up and danced. It was pretty much just MIL, F, and this little girl!

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Blurry dessert photo...

We stayed to watch the entire show even though we had finished eating. Dieter kept the drinks-and the conversation-flowing! Side note: no one actually got Bier at Biergarten. Some because they were driving, and M and I because we had dinner/drinks plans later.

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Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the food. I'm always nervous about introducing new people to my favorite Disney restaurants and experiences because...what if they don't like it??? But F and A loved it and said we showed them a new side of Disney they hadn't seen before. They said that this day was one of the best Disney days they had ever had and that we know how do do Disney right! :joyfull:

I cannot overstate what a great server Dieter was. He even offered to bring us all to-go cups of our chosen beverages, and most of us took him up on that offer. We left a great tip and also told his supervisor how wonderful he was.

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Always gotta take a pic of the bathroom!

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Up next: More World Showcase time
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
2-2, cont.

After lunch my brother split off from the group to meet up with a local friend. They went to AK and his friend managed to get a day-of FP for FoP!

The six of us left (me, M, MIL, BIL, F, and A) and continued moving around WS, with the goal of visiting Mitsukoshi in Japan. BIL and F are big anime fans and wanted to check out the merch.

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I should mention that it was a beautiful day...in photos. In reality it was SOOOO. HOTTTTTTTTT. 🥵

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Birds!

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BIL and F LOVED the train! We stopped for awhile and everyone decided where we wanted to live in the little village. I think F picked an isolated little cottage on a hill, and M and I picked a townhome right in the village center.

M and BIL's grandfather (my FIL's dad) is 100% Italian; he was born in the states but his parents and older siblings were born in Italy. He and his late wife had four sons and passed on their Italian last name to all the grandkids. A few summers ago BIL backpacked through Italy and visited the small town where his great-grandparents are from. They are all very proud of their Italian heritage and we always have to make a stop in the Italy pavilion!

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GRAPES!

Next was Japan...

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BIL, F, and A had a field day in here! Unfortunately M and I had to duck out early to get back to Pop and get ready for dinner.

Up next: THERE'S A SNAKE IN THE WATER!!!
 

krisri18

Well-Known Member
2-2, cont.

We met up with my brother and we were now a group of seven. My FIL still wasn't feeling great so he stayed in their room and rested. We all made the journey to World Showcase to check in...

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...at...

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...

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...Biergarten!

We checked in a minute or two before our reservation and were given a pager. It wasn't long until the pager went off and we were brought inside. Our server was Dieter and he was absolutely FANTASTIC! He took our drink orders and then we all hit the buffet.

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I'm realizing now I hardly took any food photos. Well, it was there and we ate it...

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We all eagerly anticipated the show!

At one point F asked Dieter if they had any hot sauce. Dieter disappeared for quite awhile, then came back with a bottle of Tabasco in hand! He said he had to go "next door" to get it because Biergarten didn't have any in their kitchen!

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Soon the performance began!

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MIL has German ancestry via the Midwest and was itching to polka! She asked BIL to dance but he didn't want to...but F volunteered!

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We were there at the end of the lunch period so very few people got up and danced. It was pretty much just MIL, F, and this little girl!

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Blurry dessert photo...

We stayed to watch the entire show even though we had finished eating. Dieter kept the drinks-and the conversation-flowing! Side note: no one actually got Bier at Biergarten. Some because they were driving, and M and I because we had dinner/drinks plans later.

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Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the food. I'm always nervous about introducing new people to my favorite Disney restaurants and experiences because...what if they don't like it??? But F and A loved it and said we showed them a new side of Disney they hadn't seen before. They said that this day was one of the best Disney days they had ever had and that we know how do do Disney right! :joyfull:

I cannot overstate what a great server Dieter was. He even offered to bring us all to-go cups of our chosen beverages, and most of us took him up on that offer. We left a great tip and also told his supervisor how wonderful he was.

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Always gotta take a pic of the bathroom!

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Up next: More World Showcase time
We love a good polka in my family! It's a wedding staple, we call it the sibling polka cuz it started with my mom and uncle!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
2-2, cont.

After we left the store M and I decided to take a Friendship across the lagoon.

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While we were waiting for the boat one of the other guests on line exclaimed, "SNAKE! SNAKE IN THE WATER!" Understandably, several other guests turned to look and agreed that they were indeed seeing a snake poke its head out. Upon closer examination, however, it became clear that the "snake" was merely a bird with a long neck sticking only its neck above the water.

Soon the boat arrived and we made our way back to the front of the park.

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😿

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💜

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:arghh:

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We took a bus back to Pop and showered and changed for dinner.

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Up next: A fantastic dinner!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
2-2, cont.

We took a bus from Pop to Magic Kingdom.

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After going security (during which we had to be very assertive with some people who were trying to skip an entire line of people waiting to go through metal detectors :rolleyes: ) we walked the path to the Contemporary.

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We went upstairs to the California Grill check in desk, but we weren't JUST eating at California Grill, we were attending Celebration at the Top! We checked in and were given sparkly orange bracelets to indicate we were part of the special event. The host told us they had just started bringing people upstairs for the event, and a CM welcomed us and another couple onto the elevator.

Once we got upstairs, a CM escorted us to the Napa and Sonoma rooms for our event. The first thing we saw was a table with a whole bunch of sparkling wine glasses and another CM immediately offered us each a glass. He also showed us the seating areas we could choose from. The Napa room had the bar and more tables, and the Sonoma room had the food and a few tables. We picked the Napa room, not JUST because it was housing the bar, but also because of the view! Our CM suggested a table by the window and of course we went with his suggestion!

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View from our table!

As soon as we sat down the bartender, Majid, came to our table and greeted us. He asked if we'd like something to drink in addition to the sparkling wine, and I decided on a Cabernet while M picked a beer. He brought our drinks to our table and we didn't even have to go to the bar!

After we received our beverages we took a trip to the Sonoma Room for food. There was a sushi station and a station with flatbreads, salads, and various other small items.

We started with sushi:

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This veggie roll was quite good!

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SPARKLY

From the other station:
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Tomato flatbread, tomato and goat cheese tart, and (in the box) sesame noodle salad

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This salad was suuuuuuper tasty and actually had a little spice to it!

While we were getting our second round of food we asked a server, Khalid, which items were vegetarian, just to be sure. He showed us the four choices (which was more than enough) and said he would also ask the chef to make us something special! :jawdrop:

Meanwhile, Majid kept the drinks coming! It seemed like EVERYONE at the event was getting this pink cocktail with rum, and M wanted one, so I volunteered to go to the bar and order one for her. I also asked to try a different wine. Majid said he would make the drinks and bring them to our table so I didn't have to keep standing at the bar! :joyfull:

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While we were waiting for our drinks, Khalid came back in with THIS:

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FOUR GIANT BOWLS OF MORE FOOD

We couldn't believe how much food he brought us! I recognized these as items from the Vegetarian Tasting Menu from the "regular" California Grill. Everything was seriously SO, SO good. If I had known they were going to feed us SO MUCH I wouldn't have scheduled Biergarten on the same day as this!

All through the night Majid kept coming by to refill drinks or take new orders. I really ended up liking the Merlot (second red wine) I had. It had intense dessert-y aromas of caramel, coffee, and vanilla, but didn't taste sweet at all. I wish I had noted what winery it was from!

Near fireworks time, most guests starting heading outside either onto the main CG viewing area or the private party viewing area.

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M and I, however, were really enjoying being inside in the air conditioning. We asked Majid if they turned off the lights inside, and he said yes, so we decided to stay in and enjoy sitting at our table. Everyone else in the entire room went outside, so M and I had a private viewing! As we waited for HEA to start we had a really nice conversation with Majid about working for Disney. He was born in Morocco and has worked in Disney restaurants for over twenty years and loves it! And it turns out, our other favorite CM of the night, Khalid, is his brother!

Soon Happily Ever After began!

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We loved Happily Ever After, of course! We have still only seen it from outside the park, so I guess some time we need to see it from INSIDE the park. But having a private table with a drink in hand sure is a nice way to watch!

After the fireworks everyone came back inside for dessert. The CMs had changed the food room into the dessert room and Majid offered us coffee. We happily accepted, and he asked if we wanted Bailey's...and what do you think we said?

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These desserts were super delicious but of course we could only eat about half a bite of each! And the coffee was very good as well!

As I'm sure you can tell we had a FANTASTIC time at Celebration at the Top! The food was excellent, the drinks were flowing, and the service was top notch! It's a pricey event ($135 per person including tax and gratuity), so it's certainly not something I would do every time, but I would definitely consider doing it again for a special occasion. The biggest value is obviously in the alcohol, so if you don't drink I would not advise booking this. It had an open bar so we could have had as much liquor as we wanted, but we mostly stuck with beer and wine to avoid getting too crazy. ;)

After finishing our coffee and what we could of dessert, we took the elevator back downstairs and called a Lyft to pick us up and take us back to Pop.

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We arrived back "home" and got ready for bed after a fantastic night!

Up next: Day 3! Where (almost) nothing goes as planned!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Trip 2, Day 3: Monday, August 26

Originally we had planned to get up in time to meet M's mom and do some late morning MK FPs. But with a night like we'd had the night before, do you think that happened? :hilarious:

Instead, we slept in and took our time getting ready. Near the end of Everything Pop's breakfast time we walked over and ordered some bagel sandwiches with egg and cheese. The sandwich comes with meat by default and there were a bunch of premade ones with meat sitting around, so the CMs made ours fresh. :hungry:

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Not bad. Not the best but not bad.

Turns out, my MIL had a late start too so we didn't actually miss time with her. Her friend R, who is also her neighbor, who is also the sister of BIL's friend F, had driven down to take her son L to MK for the day. Are you confused again? Sorry!

With no immediate plans, M and I went for a nice swim in the computer pool!

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While we were swimming an entire high school girls' volleyball team was also in the pool with us. They were well-behaved, though, and pretty much stuck to one side of the pool so we didn't mind!

After swimming we went back to the room and showered. I did a hair mask and just generally took our time getting ready to go out again.

Eventually we decided to meet my MIL, R, and L near the front of MK for a few minutes before taking a bus to Coronado for dinner and a Magic Meetup.

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Come on, Disney, you have SO MANY musicians working for you. You could have consulted with ONE of them who could have told you half these notes are backwards. :facepalm:

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Cute Mickey bus

We didn't wait long before a MK bus arrived.

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Daisy bus outside!

And soon we were arriving here:

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Did I mention it was around 4:00 and we hadn't eaten lunch? The solution:

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Two vegan dogs, please!

MIL and R managed to find a table (L was passed out in his stroller) and we all got to catch up as M and I enjoyed our "lunch." The vegan slaw dog is a solid veggie choice in the front of MK and I'd definitely get it again!

And just like that, we had to leave the MK because we had big plans in the evening! But don't worry, we'll get to spend more time with MIL later in the trip!

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Excuse me, why is there an EPCOT wheelchair HERE???

Up next: I finally get my @Tuvalu card!
 
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riverside

Well-Known Member
I really liked reading about Celebration at the Top. It looks like something I would really enjoy. I agree, $135 is pricey but an appetizer, meal & a few drinks at CG would be pretty close to that price. What time does it start & is it something that you have to book far in advance?
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I really liked reading about Celebration at the Top. It looks like something I would really enjoy. I agree, $135 is pricey but an appetizer, meal & a few drinks at CG would be pretty close to that price. What time does it start & is it something that you have to book far in advance?
I believe the official start was an hour before MK fireworks (which varies) and they started letting guests in 15 minutes prior. We booked it around five months in advance, but I have been checking randomly for trips in the near future and there seems to be availability even a month or so out. I think the price plus having to prepay means people don't make this booking with the intention to cancel so it doesn't immediately fill up like some reservations.
 

riverside

Well-Known Member
I believe the official start was an hour before MK fireworks (which varies) and they started letting guests in 15 minutes prior. We booked it around five months in advance, but I have been checking randomly for trips in the near future and there seems to be availability even a month or so out. I think the price plus having to prepay means people don't make this booking with the intention to cancel so it doesn't immediately fill up like some reservations.
Thanks for the info!! Definitely something I plan on doing!!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
2-3, cont.

A few months before my trip, @Tuvalu sent me a message saying we would be at Disney at the same time and asking if I wanted to get my Tuvalu card. Of course that was a big YES! Then lots of forum members started posting that they would be there during that week, and Tu kindly arranged a meetup so as many of us as possible could all be there!

When the day arrived I was definitely nervous. I was a kid in the 90s and I remember many admonitions against "talking to strangers" after all! But honestly I was more nervous about the fact that everyone we were planning to meet is so COOL and I would have nothing interesting to say to any of them!

M and I arrived at Coronado around 4:45 and the meetup was to begin at 5:00 at Three Bridges. We didn't want to be the first ones there so we waited in the old lobby area for a few minutes. I was playing on my phone like a TYPICAL MILLENNIAL, when I looked up and right in front of me was TUVALU!!! She looks exactly like her photos in real life! After a moment of screaming and shrieking and hugging the first thing I said was, "You're a real person!!" :hilarious: We each introduced our spouses, who were looking a little concerned the whole situation. Well not @Woodywrkr; he's used to it by now, I'm sure!

The four of us made our way toward Three Bridges, where @DisneyGigi and B were waiting. The introductions continued and we asked to be seated. We weren't exactly sure how many would be joining us, but knew it could have been up to ten, and the CMs were happy to arrange some couches and comfy chairs so we could all sit together.

I think the next person to arrive was @NunuBelle (but it's been over a month now so I could be fuzzy on the details!), followed soon by @Tony the Tigger and Brian. We all had so much fun chatting that I didn't even get a photo of our drinks! M and I both had Spanish Margaritas, because @DisneyGigi was drinking one and it looked really good (they were!). M had another and I had a Bourbon Breeze as my second round. Tony ordered a mushroom and vegan chorizo appetizer and was kind enough to share with M and me.

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(No it didn't just come with one mushroom, but I forgot to get a photo until the very end)

Let me tell you, all of these people are just as lovely and fun as they seem from their posts on the boards! There was never a dull or awkward moment and we really enjoyed hanging out with everyone!

If you've read the TRs of the others from the meetup, you know that it started absolutely POURING during the middle of it. This was not just a little Florida afternoon rainstorm. We were all glad to be near the middle of the seating area because the guests sitting near the sides got rather wet!

Eventually we all had to go our separate ways; some of us had dinner reservations while others were eager to get inside before the rain got worse! As we said goodbye, the most beautiful rainbow appeared over Gran Destino Tower!

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We had so much fun, and I cannot emphasize enough how lovely all of the people we met were!

Up next: Dinner at Toledo!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
2-3, cont.

This day happened to be M's grandpa's birthday, so she called him while we walked to Toledo. Ninety-five percent of the time he is a man of few words on the phone and ends the call within a minute and thirty seconds, but the other five percent he will talk your ear off. There is no in between. Guess which one he was tonight. 🤣 He talked so long that M was still on the phone when we arrived at the fancy (and apparently confusing) elevators and the call disconnected in the elevator. She called him back after we arrived on the sixteenth floor and they continued to talk while I checked in for the reservation. The CM at the host stand informed me that they were running behind and I would get a text when our table was ready. Okay, no problem. I'll just stand here and take photos!

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While we were waiting we saw @DisneyGigi and B again because they also had a reservation that night!

Eventually, a full TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES after our reservation time, we were seated. Some time in that period M's grandpa hung up. :hilarious: (For anyone who is thinking "WHAT A RUDE MILLENNIAL" because I keep talking about how long he talks on the phone...PLEASE. M's grandpa is the absolute best. He welcomed me into their big Italian family years before we were even married, and he has always been supportive of our relationship despite living in a relatively conservative part of the country, and despite some of the other family members taking a bit of time to come around to the idea of the LESBIAN COUSIN and her WIFE. He is just so full of love for the entire family!)

Back to Toledo!

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We checked out the wine list but decided we were in the mood for another cocktail. Our server recommended a couple, and we chose the ones she recommended because they sounded great! She disappeared for a few minutes and then came back because she'd forgotten to check our IDs. And here we were thinking "Wow, we're finally old enough not to get ID-ed all the dern time, even in Florida!" Not quite, lol. She saw our NJ DLs and told us she's from Long Island. But the NJ licenses confuse everyone because the DOB is in red and is difficult to find. I'm pretty sure we've had many a server just give up without actually finding the date on there.

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L: M's Tequila Daisy. R: My Gran Gin Tonic

We liked both drinks. Mine was very fragrant and reminded me of a Christmas tree!

A trip to the ladies' room was in order (all the drinks from our meetup were catching up to me!).

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Up next: Food!
 
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