Trip Report Shortest Retirement in History?

Justin Bieber lasted 2 weeks.

Tom Brady lasted 40 days.

I, Tuvalu, outlasted them both. Not by much, mind you. Yet if not for the encouragement of some forum friends - along with some unusual circumstances - you wouldn’t be reading this.

Unusual circumstances, you say?

Around Thanksgiving my beloved Woody learned his presence was required at a work conference. In Orlando. At Universal.
Just down the road from Walt Disney World.

Woody said I could accompany him if he drove (rather than flew) to Florida. And that we could leave a couple days early and have some Disney time together.

Well you don’t have to ask me twice!

I’d be on my own during the conference. Since the majority of Universal’s attractions don’t appeal to me, it didn’t make sense for me to buy Uni tickets when I could visit WDW for free with my AP. Being solo, I thought it might be fun to do a live trip report so y’all could be my virtual companions!

Turns out I won’t be alone while Woody is occupied after all. Some friends that you have seen in my previous TRs (and one you haven’t) have offered to play with me. I can’t wait!

 

[Tuvalu]

You’re very welcome…!!!
Just as an example, the first 2 pics, of the 4 below, are from not disabling the night mode, and the second 2 pics are with the night mode disabled…it makes a pretty big difference…!!!

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Wow - what a difference! Those with night mode disabled are AMAZING!

We actually didn't catch any of the Story Tellers this time! Do they only perform once a day? It just feels to me that with each passing year, the Christmas decorations are being reduced in Epcot. I did notice the candle cane attachments on the lamp posts near France and thought was a nice festive addition.

Storytellers perform multiple times each day but you need to pick up a times guide to know when.

 

[Tuvalu]

Glad we didn't stay around to see yesterday

 

[donaldtoo]

Wow - what a difference! Those with night mode disabled are AMAZING!

Definitely a huge difference, so, for your next TR, I expect to see perfect dark ride pics from you…!!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Definitely a huge difference, so, for your next TR, I expect to see perfect dark ride pics from you…!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

If my ol’ silly self can, I have no doubt your amazing self can, too…!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

Loved, loved, loved these refreshed ornaments.

 

[amjt660]

(I think it would be really cool if Disney would blanket this area with snow during the winter!

I agree with the blanket of snow but why stop there….

Freeze the pond and have an outdoor skating rink!!!


Max

 

[lindawdw]

Saturday, con’t

Loved, loved, loved these refreshed ornaments.

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I love the decorations in the France Pavilion!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

C’est l’heure de manger.

As frequent WDW vacationers, Em and I are excited when we get to experience something new. More often than not we come away positive. We hoped that would be the case today.

La Crêperie was a much smaller restaurant than we anticipated. It’s intimate. But with tables practically on top of each other, it is not very private and conversation with neighbors is easily heard. The environment was loud.

However the restaurant is not a signature but casual dining so the ambiance fit as a Parisian café.

The paper menu was already on the table when we were seated and served as a placemat during the meal. I was under the impression that since we had booked a CP dining package, it was a prix fixe which included an appetizer, entrée, dessert and beverage. However when our server came over to greet us, he explained the different menu options (I think there were 3 or 4?) which made it sound like we weren’t locked into the prix fixe and could save a little money. In the end, we both went with the prix fixe.

Our server said the CPDP included an alcoholic beverage up to $20. I would have been all over a glass of Vouvray but that was not an option. Em inquired about the difference in the hard ciders and selected the Demi Sec based on his recommendation. She enjoyed it very much.

It’s Emily in Paris!!

We both chose the Soupe du Jour (“The Soup of the Day” for you Dumb and Dumber fans) which was a vegetarian baked potato that was out of this world!

Served in a large crock, the soup was a meal in itself. As Em and I raved about its creamy, exquisite flavors we knew we should pace ourselves and leave some in our crocks. However gluttony overruled as it seemed a crime to leave even a single drop behind.

And yeah, we would regret our lack of control. We were already full when our entrées arrived (with dessert yet to come!)

Anyone expecting the main course to be a typical rolled crêpe with filling () would be surprised upon receiving this -

Savory crêpes are made with buckwheat flour and are called galettes. (It’s right there on the menu! )

I’d ordered the Poulet - Chicken with Bechamel Cheese Sauce and Mushrooms. Since I dislike mushrooms, I asked for caramelized onions as a substitute. This must have caused confusion in the kitchen because what I received was the Savoyarde - Raclette Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Bacon and Prosciutto Ham. (Pictured above)

Of course I did not realize I’d received the wrong galette until after several bites when it became apparent I was tasting bacon/ham and not chicken. It was wonderful, mind you, but the server insisted on bringing me the modified chicken galette I’d ordered.

Thus, despite my current satiated state, I felt obligated to eat some of the chicken - which was as wonderfully delicious as everything else had been.

And dessert was still to come.

Em’s galette was the Chèvre - Goat Cheese with Spinach and Walnuts.

She really liked it but couldn’t come close to finishing.

And then dessert came.

Two Gourmande - Hazelnut Chocolate Spread with REAL Whipped Cream.

In that moment - after one bite - we regretted ordering the prix fixe because it was simply TOO MUCH FOOD. Dessert was so, so, good and we wanted to devour all of it but we were so, so full.

Will we return to La Crêperie?

Absolutely.

But just for soup and dessert!

 

[Swissmiss]

You received the crepes as they would be served in France (I had completely forgotten about rolled crepes)

 

[Minnie1986]

Don’t need no Lefse.

Eplekake won’t do.

Hard pass on School Bread.

This is my dream come true.

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A triple chocolate chip cookie from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in Norway. I’d sung its praise to Em, and now she’s hooked. We both sung its praise to Woody, and he had to have one.

Confession time - I am a dinosaur who carries cash. While the majority of my purchases at WDW are paid via credit or gift card, I like to pay cash for items under $20. For the cookie I handed over the exact amount in dollars and cents.

The native Norwegian working the register was new and being assisted by another native Norwegian. She immediately pulled out a laminated card with pictures of U.S. coins to determine the value of the change I’d given her.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” I blurted out. (Which is in direct contrast to how I feel when I give cash to young fast food workers who look at it dumbfounded, uncertain how to make change, and I want to scream, do the math!!)*

“Don’t apologize,” the helper said to me. “It’s how we learn.”

She continued: “Although why is a dime smaller than a nickel? Shouldn’t the size increase with the coin’s value? Nickels are larger than pennies and quarters are largest of all.”

While the half dollar and dollar coins beg to differ, I opted to smile and shrug.

We enjoyed the cookie later in the day. Woody liked the sea salt surprise.


*(Confidential to @amjt660 - yes, I recognize the irony here.)

S and I fell deeply in love with these cookies in July; and I've been informed that if I don't bring her back at least two next year, that I will be in deep trouble.

 

[Minnie1986]

Saturday, con’t

Knowing we’d be spending our last night in the MK, I’d booked three LLs as soon as we were eligible earlier today. I was pleased with my results.

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Where did we go for dinner?

Hint #1

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Hint #2

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I did not “Share My Wish” but it is always fun to read what others have written in the book. And of course I had the chicken parmesan sub, since it was so good last month. My choice did not sway Woody though, who was in a pizza mood.

Pinocchio’s Village Haus is a perplexing name for this restaurant. Is Pinocchio Italian or German?

Curious, I did a little research. The story of Pinocchio is set in Tuscany, Italy in the late 1800s. Carlo Collodi, the author, was inspired by his childhood in Tuscany and created the fictional village of San Miniato Bossa where Pinocchio is carved by woodcutter Gepetto. The name Gepetto has its origins in Italian and has a symbolic meaning of God Will Increase.

Though Collodi’s story was the inspiration for the Disney film, the Imagineers used creative license to tell their story and used Rothenberg, Germany as a reference for the village where Gepetto resides.

So the answer to my question is — both!

 

[Minnie1986]

Two months behind, but I cannot wait to catch up on all of the latest adventures!

 

[Minnie1986]

I the harvest/halloween decorations. They look so warm and cozy, like everything is giving a nice, warm fall hug to my soul.

Have a wonderful trip!

I feel the exact same way. Fall is my favorite season, so being at Disney with all of the decorations, treats, etc. just makes me feel so at ease.