May 7 - Disney Trip

Since I was unable to take my Cinco de Mayo trip to Epcot this year, I decided I would take Amara on my day off for a bit of fun doing things at Disney she wanted to do. I had Fastpasses booked and we were ready to roll. We like trying to meet up with Scoop Sanderson on Main Street for pin trading when there, and lucky for us I knew he'd be there that day. He was also joined by the Mayor's daughter, Penny. I have never met her before and I am having trouble finding further information on her, but she was a doll. Scoop escorted us into the Emporium as well as his long line of friends for some pin trading in the shade. Amara took him a "Best Friends" pin set and gave him one and kept the other. She got to trade first with Scoop and then I took a turn.

After saying good morning to Scoop we ventured off to Tomorrowland and rode the People Mover and Space Mountain!

Amara got the idea she wanted to drive the Liberty Belle Steam Boat like she had once before, but today they weren't allowing new drivers. We took two rides around Tom Sawyer Island and went off for some lunch.

For months I have been trying to get to the Golden Oak Outpost for these gourmet waffle fries. Every time we go though it's closed. They just happened to be open today and I told the cast member of my many failed attempts at these fries and I was told they only open when there are 4,500 guests in the Magic Kingdom. Apparently I normally go on the really slow days. 

We ordered the pulled pork with cole slaw fries and the blt fries. Both were simply satisfying! My daughter and I ate them up and enjoyed every last bite. The waffle fries were nice and crunchy and did not become soggy with the loaded toppings. A perfect match. I can't wait to try the gravy and cheese ones!

We rode Splash Mountain and she took about three or four spins on the tea cups and headed to Main Street to get a good spot at the top of the train station for the Festival of Fantasy parade. We had never viewed any parade from here before. 

We grabbed our spot and I let her run and have some fun on Main Street while we waited on the parade. She went to the flagpole to meet Marie and she went in for a quick break before Amara got to meet her. While awaiting for her return we both spotted Snow White being accompanied by Dopey. This was a rare sight to see and I made eye contact with Amara and pointed and she took off running. After all, Marie is out every single day, where as Dopey... not so much.

It was getting close to parade time and the Main Street Philharmonic came marching through playing classic tunes such as "It's A Small World", "Mickey Mouse Club" theme, and of course, "Let It Go".

Shortly after the parade hit Main Street and I got some beautiful photos from a new angle.

After the parade we quickly made our way to the exit and headed over to Hollywood Studios. Our plan was to hit up Characterpalooza and ride something before heading out for the day. However, Characterpalooza was cancelled for the day. I let Amara run and ride Tower of Terror a couple of times while waiting. Our next trip planned is for the exciting 24-hour party and then Star Wars Weekends!

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Part I

Here is my trip report for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It will be broken up into multiple posts to ensure proper tagging for characters. Blogger only allows 200 characters in the tags block. I got there around 3:45 p.m. just as they started letting everyone is who had party tickets. The entrance looks beautiful decorated for the season. It's hard to believe that just two weeks ago there were Halloween decorations everywhere here.

The first thing I did when I got inside was I went right over to the Main Street Fire Station to pick up the party exclusive Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom party card featuring Elsa from Frozen...of course?! The lone started growing quickly, but I was first in line. At 4:00 sharp the cast members came out and started handing out the cards and marking everyone's wristbands who had received the card.

After I got my card I quickly walked over to the circus area in New Fantasyland to find out where Sandy Claws would be meeting. I asked a cast member who directed me towards the FastPass+ tent in the very back near the railroad station. There was one family already waiting before me. Within five minutes of hanging out in the area, cast members came out and started setting the scene for Sandy Claws which made the excitement inside me grow.

By 5:30 p.m. they had the line stanchions up and allowed everyone to file in the line. The line had grown quite long in just the short amount of time of waiting. When everyone filed in there were probably a little over one hundred people in line, and I was second. A character attendant came out to keep the crowd enthused  and alive and said Sandy Claws would be arriving promptly at 7:00 p.m. as the party started. Then shortly after the PhotoPass photographer came out and started doing test shots. People started asking him when Jack would be out and he said 6:00 p.m. In past events they have started the Nightmare Before Christmas meets earlier than scheduled due to the popularity. Sure enough Sandy Claws arrived 45 minutes early at exactly 6:15 p.m.

This early arrival and being second in line allowed me time to go grab a quick dinner before the party. I decided to swing my Gaston's Tavern for a Pork Shank ($9.95). It closely resembles the ever popular turkey leg, but not as much meat, and not as much flavor for sure. It was good, but I honestly wish I would have gone to Friar Tuck's for some much craved Macaroni and Cheese. I grabbed a spot in the second most popular meet and greet during the parties, The Seven Dwarfs. 

The line was semi-long already, but they came out right at 7:00 p.m. and my wait was approximately 35 minutes from there.

After the Dwarves I went to check out the Princess/Prince line for Princes Aurora and Prince Phillip and Snow White and her Snow Prince. The line here was a 45 minute wait due to their 15 minute intermission between sets.

The time was now around 8:15 p.m. when I got to meet them and then I took a look at my priority list and made way back over to the circus area for the ducks and Minnie Mouse (in her new candy cane dress).

Character Total as of 8:20 p.m.: Twelve total

Part Two
Part Three

October 9 Disney Trip

On Thursday October 9 I headed to Epcot alone for a day of Food & Wine Festival. I primarily went down because an acquaintance of mine, Brad Stewart, was playing with his band Fuel at the Eat To The Beat concert series held during the festival. So here's a photo log of the things I enjoyed through the day.

I started the day over at Magic Kingdom for a stroll along Main Street USA. I had hoped to do some pin trading with Scoop Sanderson, but he was not there that day. Around 10:15 a.m. I hopped on the monorail and headed over to Epcot. I got there right as the festival was opening up for the day.

Passing the Greece booth I noticed the above recipe posted for passerby's. I think I'd like to make these sometime. They sound very yummy! I made my first stop at The Refreshment Port for the Croissant Doughnut with Cinnamon Sugar. This thing was so good! A litle heavier on the stomach than expected. It was flaky like a croissant, but doughy and buttery like a doughnut. The cinnamon and sugar gave it a perfect sweetness that satisfied my craving for breakfast. I should say brunch since it was just after 11 a.m. This is actually served all year long at the location, but it is listed in the Food & Wine Festival Passport. So I got my stamp and continued on. 

 I wasn't allowed to "go crazy", as my husband calls it, so i had to choose wisely on the offerings I tried that day. I got to Italy and took a look over the menu. I knew Jesse would not want to get anything from this kiosk so I grabbed the Ravioli alla Caprese. This was very fresh tasting and sweet. I may end up getting this again. It tasted wonderful and had that comfort food feel to it.

By the time I reached Singapore I was feeling a little thirsty so I decided to get a Singapore Sling featuring Hendrick's Gin and Cherry Herring. I walked to Norway and had a seat on a bench to relax a minute. This drink was nice, but you could tell they really skimped on the alcohol. 

I had reached the start of World Showcase, the point I started from and was ready for another dish. I grabbed the Blackened Chick'n Breast, Farro Wheat and Spicy Gumbo Sauce from the Terra Marketplace. This dish was so surprisingly delicious! The chicken is a soy product and the entire dish is vegetarian. This has to be one of my favorite dishes that's new this year. Was spicy just enough and had loads of flavor!

At this point I decided to book some quick fastpasses on my phone and hop on some rides and kill some time. Here are a couple photos from our favorite attraction at Epcot, Living With The Land.

Around 3:30 p.m. I was ready to head back through the festival, grab some food, and head to the American Adventure for some free soda and a charge up on my phone before the concert began. I stopped by the Puerto Rico Marketplace for the Carne Guisada con Arroz Blanco which is Slow Braised Beef with Puerto Rican Grown Rice. This was pretty good. Meat was slightly tough, but the flavor and spice was strong and good. Not a favorite dish, but I would say it is worth a try.

After relaxing in the a.c. a bit I went and grabbed my spot in line for the concert. While I waited a surprise pop-up character meet and greet happened on the side of the American Adventure Pavilion. I saw Stitch, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Daisy Duck, and DOPEY!

Not a great photo of me for sure. I guess I was just too excited to see Dopey out for once. This was my first time getting to meet him without waiting for four hours at one of the parties with the other six dwarfs. I hopped back in line for the Fuel show and ended up watching all three sets they did that day. Each set was slightly different than the others. They did an awesome job and sounded great. I ended up making friends with one their biggest fans that was there and had a blast. Here are some photos from the show.

Well I do hope you enjoyed this trip report. Keep rockin'!