The "Never Again in July - nunca mais em julho" Disneymoon Trip Report

7.7.12 - Our Wedding day went well, actually very well. It rained all morning and to our luck it stopped an hour and a half before our ceremony and the weather was perfect; reminiscent of a fall day in New England... a tad on the cloudy side, cool with no humidity. This IS not part of the TR but I figured some people were interested... so I wanted to share. I'm sure everyone is interested in what I look like, so bam... here's a couple quickies. The rest of the TR is coming... soon!

The best trip ever, and with the crowds and tour groups 11 days was money and we needed every bit of it.

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ejsanta13

Active Member
I was there a couple weeks ago and i have to agree with you. The Brazillian tour groups are HORRIBLE! I forked over so much cash to have my trip ruined by these tour groups. The would chant and take flash photos during rides which really ed me off. Even worse was the fact that they were EVEYWHERE, its near impossible to avoid them. They would even hog up all the fast passes! Never again in July NEVER.

I will second the "Never again in July" comment. Was there in 2010 for the 4th, and it was rediculous. Too HOT, too HUMID, too MANY PEOPLE!!! The tour groups were there, but did not seem as crazy as what I have read/am reading. We did not run into many issues with them, and they were actually extremely cordial/friendly with my dd(5 at the time). Fortunately we did not run into the line cutting aspect as I would have put up a stink about that (would not have been magical for ANYONE!!!). I don't know how you can go into another country and not at least try to accept the culture. DW and I spent 10 days in Italy last year, and the last thing we wanted was to be seen as not respecting the country/culture. The small things can make the biggest difference.

Congrats on the nuptuals!! DW & I are on year 12 now.....
 

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
no objections to Disney lunches haha... I need to hit that moroccan place up, when I ate at the Tangerine I walked away satisfied but without the feeling that I just consumed 3000 calories. I love Pecos Bill and Caseys but I can only do the fried food for so long.
 

MouseDreaming

Well-Known Member
Congratulations! Starting happily ever after on a Disneymoon is the best. DH and I just told everyone we were doing the CA coast, which basically was code for we're going to Disney, and some other places. Then, a few months later, I knew I married the right guy, because we made it to WDW.:) And yes, there were a lot of people who thought it weird, strange, odd, because weren't we just there? (Silly people, they should know they are two completely different places!)

We had the "pleasure" of experiencing some of the tour groups in March, 2011. Only a couple then. The cheerleaders that were still there when we first arrived were more annoying. Then there was the year with the teenagers cussin' like sailors on TSI. Also, not pretty. Especially when your 9 year old is looking at you like what does that mean? It really makes me feel sad. Sorry you got caught up in it.

Glad to hear about MM. We want to do that, too for F! Can't wait to read the rest!
 

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
7.13... at this point we have been to each gate and we're settling in. We had to relax and remember to keep our cool, the non-stop chanting and line cutting was starting to take a toll on us. At this point I was thinking Disney had established and conjured up some conspiracy against our trip.. they were always right behind us!

We slept in, which is rare for us... and by sleeping in I mean 8:30AM. We're early risers. We decided on Epcot and simply strolled on over, the benefit of being able to walk to Epcot is simply unreal. I feel my TR is starting to slip now because since we've gone each year the last three years we have been on each attraction so many times that it's hard to write on and describe your experiences. We were a little bummed that Test Track was down, it wasn't my favorite ride but it was still something I enjoyed doing. I probably rode The Land about 10 times, I actually enjoy looking at all of the plants and try to sit on a different side each time. I am lame, I know.

We had an ADR set for Le Cellier tonight... and were sat at a less than desired table, I simply vocalized my distaste and we were sat at another table. I was pretty excited for this and a bit nervous, a few shotty reviews here and there. I started off with a cheddar cheese soup and Rachel had the lobster salad. The soup was nice, not as hot as I like my soup but I'd certainly order it again. We decided to order a side of Poutine and split a NY Strip.

For those of you who never been to Quebec / Ontario poutine is the sexiest combination of gravy, cheese curds, and pomme frittes. Well Le Cellier should be ashamed of themselves serving that dish. No cheese curds, cheese was shaved and not melted, no gravy... it was "red wine reduction" and guys... easy on the truffle oil! I was really let down, 9 dollars down the drain for one bite.

Le Cellier is a fun experience but don't expect much, especially if you've ever been to top notch steak houses. Don't walk in here and think you're getting a Peter Luger steak. It also isn't bad, but for 50 bucks a whack it is what it is... overpriced. I still enjoyed it though, cooked well. I'd likely go back, simply for the atmosphere and theming.
 

PartOfYourWorld

Well-Known Member
Yes finally!! Been waiting for this! Especially since I "hearted" every single one of your photos pretty much on Instagram lol.

Congratulations again to you and Rachel!!!!

Super bummed to hear about all those tour groups they make me very :mad:. There was always alot in January when I used to go at that time. Words cannot describe how annoying and frustrating they are.

Can't believe you guys got upgraded to that awesome view at the Poly!!!! That definitely is the DIsney Magic at work right there!

And you didn't like LeCellier?? I've had nothing but great experiences there, i mean the seating is not the greatest, but as far as the food goes. AMAZING. The Filet is the best I've ever had and the soup..to die for. And did you like the Pretzel bread?
 

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Yes finally!! Been waiting for this! Especially since I "hearted" every single one of your photos pretty much on Instagram lol.

Congratulations again to you and Rachel!!!!

Super bummed to hear about all those tour groups they make me very :mad:. There was always alot in January when I used to go at that time. Words cannot describe how annoying and frustrating they are.

Can't believe you guys got upgraded to that awesome view at the Poly!!!! That definitely is the DIsney Magic at work right there!

And you didn't like LeCellier?? I've had nothing but great experiences there, i mean the seating is not the greatest, but as far as the food goes. AMAZING. The Filet is the best I've ever had and the soup..to die for. And did you like the Pretzel bread?

hmm, my take on Le Cellier. It isn't that I didn't like it... it's just that I went into this meal with too much experience on my plate. Like I said, I'm a self proclaimed foodie so if your normal experience with steak is The Texas Roadhouse you would love Le Cellier. But visit Smith and Wollensky's, The Oak Room, Abe and Louie's and then go back to Le Cellier. If the prices were different that would be a separate case, but the restaurants are within a 10 dollar range. For 50 dollar a cut I am used the restaurants listed above. But I would still go back... just because I love dining within gates.
 

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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I'll take this time to write a small bit about the few things I like collecting / visiting / doing down in Disney. I was late to jump on the Vinylmation bandwagon, but it's never too late to enjoy a fun thing. These are unique little collectibles, not in that they are rare or anything, but it was really the first time a "toy" grabbed my eye. Before I left I was working on a few photography projects and this was one of my favorite images while I was testing a new lens.

7.14 - breaking from the mold we actually skipped a good part of the parks and decided DTD was something we would do. We wanted to check out the pin shop and the Vinylmation store. We actually took some time to walk around and give every shop a chance. We ended up picking up some awesome pins including a LE Epcot 30th pin which I really liked. In terms of the Vinyls, I didn't find anything that caught my eye. I was really bummed that the LE UP Carl and Ellie set was sold out within an hour online, it went on sale while we were down in Disney. Normally I would have stayed up for the 3AM release. Worst part was the price, it was only 26 bucks for 2 Vinyls. I included an image of the Up set below. This was something I really, really wanted but now are headed upwards of 200 on ebay. NO thanks... not worth that cash.

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Again, another note of disappointment. Do I complain a lot? Well, Rachel wanted to gift me a wedding present and I decided a watch was fitting. What could be better than a Disney watch! Then we got there and realized wow the quality of the watches have really fallen. The Citizens versions were overpriced and were outdated. This is what happens when your ultimate time piece is a Rolex Submariner. It's hard to look at anything else. Needless to say we didn't find anything. Again, I walked away willing to spend money but not finding anything!

We decided to hit the movies and saw Brave... which I actually really enjoyed! Overall a great film and glad to see Pixar bounce back from the abysmal Cars 2.

For dinner we decided to take my parents recommendation and enjoyed a meal at Raglan Road. This was a nice taste of home for myself, for those of you who have been to Boston Raglan Road is like a more tourist centric version of The Black Rose. It's nice to have the dancers and band play. Guinness in Florida is different, they must not move a lot of product so it's sit longer in the keg. Food was delicious, I had a braised beef which was presented well as it was served in an all-clad pot with carrots and parsnips. Definitely a repeat for us next time.
 

PartOfYourWorld

Well-Known Member
hmm, my take on Le Cellier. It isn't that I didn't like it... it's just that I went into this meal with too much experience on my plate. Like I said, I'm a self proclaimed foodie so if your normal experience with steak is The Texas Roadhouse you would love Le Cellier. But visit Smith and Wollensky's, The Oak Room, Abe and Louie's and then go back to Le Cellier. If the prices were different that would be a separate case, but the restaurants are within a 10 dollar range. For 50 dollar a cut I am used the restaurants listed above. But I would still go back... just because I love dining within gates.

Understandable. Glad you would go back though. And yes the only other place I've had steak is Texas Roadhouse and a few other places where I didn't like it at all. So really now, the only time I ever eat steak is when I go to Le Cellier anyways.

Did you happen to try one of those Waffle Sandwiches from Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom? I'm dying to try one of those.
 

Pooh Lover

Well-Known Member
When we were in Ohana all I could think of was shrimp. I had an online friend rant and rave about the food but the shrimp were served last! I only had one piece of the chicken (tad dry), beef (tad chewy), and pork (probably my least favorite meat). So I mounded wings and actually enjoyed the dumplings. The wife is allergic to pork so I get to consume any goodies with any pork product. But back to the shrimp, rock shrimp are strange! Nice flavor but just different from what I'm used to. Our server initially gave me like 8 and I'm fast at pealing them so they stayed warm, followed by 8 more, then he realized I liked shrimp and handed over the whole skewer.

We had the mixed drink in the pineapple, the name is escaping me now, but what the hell is in there... Gasoline! It was a wicked stuff drink, and on the pricy side considering its size.

Totally agree with you about the shrimp and the Lapu Lapu. Husband can sit there and eat those shrimp (patiently peeling them) until I am ready to scream...loves them. And the Lapu Lapu....gasoline....yup, that's about what I thought too. Did not enjoy and did not finish. I wondered if I just got a bad one because all I could taste was alcohol and NOTHING else. Glad someone else feels the same way since this drink has become the stuff of legend on these boards.
 

mouse_luv

Well-Known Member
I'm excited about trying the shrimp, and I'm glad that you said that about the Lapu Lapu before I tried it. It's kind of a legend around the boards, so I'm glad I didn't make a mistake lol.
Until then, brushing up on essential Portuguese phrases just in case I need them. ;)
 

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