Wordless Wednesday - 12/5/12

Wordless Wednesdays!

 

2012 Trip Recap

There were a lot of things I said I'd do and eat on our last vacation.  Did I get to them all?

Dole Whip Float at Aloha Isle, Magic Kingdom – Yes!  After hanging my head in shame after being at the Magic Kingdom at least once a year for 10 years and never having one, I don't ever miss it.  Unfortunately my daughter declared it "nasty."  Oh well, here's hoping our second child will have tastebuds like mine and not her father.
 

Mac & Cheese Truffle Oil Hotdog at Fairfax Fare, Hollywood Studios – Yes.  The bread was a little dry and I really couldn't taste the truffle oil, but bacon with macaroni and cheese on a hot dog is an awesome idea.  Kogel viennas are still my favorite hot dogs.

 

Cupcakes at Starring Rolls Café, Hollywood Studios – Yes!  The red velvet cupcake is amazing!  The cream cheese frosting isn't overly "cream cheesy" and the toffe topping adds the perfect amount of crunch.  I think someone told me that all Disney food has zero calories, and that's great because I didn't share one bite of that cupcake! 

 

Lobster Roll at Columbia Harbor House, Magic Kingdom – Yes. After my last pregnancy, mayo has become one of the most disgusting things on the planet.  The lobster roll was more mayo and celery than lobster.  It was OK...not sure I would order it again.

 

Lobster Roll at Hops & Barley booth, Epcot Food & Wine Festival – Yes.  This one was so much better than the one at Columbia Harbor House.  All lobster, no fillers! This one I'd definitely order again.

 

White Chocolate Elephant Cupcake, Kisafini Coffee Shop, Animal Kingdom – No. We didn't make it to Animal Kingdom this year.  Since the kids were really enjoying it (and hubby was loving "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom") we opted to spend our last day at Magic Kingdom instead.

 

Beignets, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, Port Orleans French Quarter – Yes! While I waited for my diaper laundry to finish, I took a stroll over to Port Orleans and ordered beignets.  Hubby and kids knew I'd been snacking when I returned because I was covered in powerdered sugar.  They take a while to prepare, but they were hot and fresh and awesome.

 

Earl of Sandwich, Downtown Disney – Yes. The first night we were there, I stopped by and it looked like we would have a shorter wait in the stand by line for Soarin'.  We tried again later in the trip and the line was still quite long, but I heard that it moved quickly.  It does!  The low prices and good options make me understand why it's a crowd favorite.  I would definitely return for a quick lunch or dinner.

 

LeFou’s Brew, Gaston’s Tavern, Magic Kingdom – Yes.  It was a little too sweet for my liking, and my daughter declared it "yucky."  I could be much happier with a glass of cold water.  Though the souvenier cup was cute, we didn't purchase one.

Country Bear Jamboree - No. Does it count that we saw them performing outside, just before the Christmas parade?

 

Voyage of the Little Mermaid - No. Our daughter went all "fan girl" on us when she saw the Disney Junior characters.  We never even got near the queue for this attraction.  She did really like "Under the Sea" at the Magic Kingdom later that week.

Water Parks & Resort Pools - No. It was so cold you could see the steam rising from the heated pools.

 

School Bread - No.  I totally forgot!  There was even a list of things I wanted to try saved on my phone, but this wasn't included.

Tonga Toast - No.  Sorry...I know many of you think I'm not a true Disney parks fan if I haven't had Tonga Toast yet.  We went to the Polynesian for lunch, not breakfast, and missed this.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party - No.  Hurricane Sandy caused us to postpone our trip.  We traded the tickets in for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  It was awesome!  Even with a sold out crowd, we were able to ride Dumbo (and other rides) over and over again with no wait.  The fireworks and parade were amazing, as was the hot chocolate and cookies.  Totally worth it!

 

Food & Wine Festival - Yes! We've got the cookbooks and t-shirts to prove it.  I ate so much food I thought I would  still be full the next day.  As long as I live, I will never miss the Food and Wine Festival again.

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure - Sort of.  Impossible to do during the super crowded, last weekend of the Food and Wine Festival.  We'll try again in the spring.

Liberty Square Riverboat & Tom Sawyer Island - No.  Missed them again, but at least we know where they are now.

 

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom - Yes.  Hubby is totally hooked.  You need at least 5 hours to complete this.  I hear that it saves your progress so you can pick up where you left off on subsequent trips, if the computers don't crash between visits.  We only made it through the first level.

Myuki’s Candy Art - No.

Karamell-Kuche - Yes!  I already had far too much to eat while at Epcot, so I hid my $4 candy away and ate it after we got back to Michigan.  The carmel corn was yummy; it didn't make it out of the park.  The candy tasted great a few days later at home.

Afternoon naps - Sort of.  We never left the parks. The kids slept in the stroller.

Stay crunchy, friends!

Instant Friends

 
 

“Look for the afro with the yellow bow, that’s me!”  Minutes later, I finally had the pleasure of meeting, Amy from Growing Up Disney, in front of Gaston’s Tavern, part of the New Fantasyland.  Amy is the owner of one of my favorite Disney related blogs.  We’ve tweeted back and forth over the past year about children and Disney and cameras.  Due to a short postponement of our vacation, we just happened to be at the Magic Kingdom at the same time.  While it was truly a pleasure meeting her, the real pleasure was watching our children. They were instant friends.

 

The world would be a much better place if we could set aside our preconceived notions and trepidations of people we have not met.  These two girls started hugging immediately, as if they were old friends.  I reveled in their childhood innocence and was quite happy that CJ would have someone her age to pal around with, at least for the next couple of hours.  After some introductory chit chat, the Crunchy Disney Ma and Growing Up Disney clans headed over for a ride on Under The Sea.  Amy and her family had already ridden and pointed out a few things in the interactive ride queue that weren’t working.  That just meant that we would have to ride again.  Honestly, I’m glad Scuttle could only be heard and not seen, because that gave me a chance to pick Amy’s brain about the business of blogging. 

Amy rode with the girls, my husband rode with her husband, and I rode alone with Ava, who was tucked safely away inside my Moby wrap, sleeping.  Alone time is a good thing, especially when experiencing Disney awesomeness for the first time.  The attention to detail on this attraction was amazing! (More on that later…)  I can only imagine the conversations going on inside the girls’ clam shell.  Both emerged from the ride as excited as they were when they boarded.  The guys seemed pretty chatty, too. I bet they had some good conversation about their Disney loving wives!

Next, we visited Gaston’s Tavern.  We tried in vain to get the girls to take a photo together in Gaston’s chair, but Amy’s Tink would have nothing to do with it.  CJ, dressed as Princess Belle, happily hopped into what she would later call her throne, just before she declared LeFou’s Brew “yucky.”  Under the amazing antler chandelier, our families snacked and chatted until it was time for us to catch up with another friend who moved to the area from Michigan, who we planned to meet for dinner at the Polynesian. 

CJ still asks about Tink, especially when she see pictures from our latest trip.  She certainly asked when we returned to the Magic Kingdom just before we boarded the plane back home.  I bet she'll be looking for her when we go back early next year.  Amy later tweeted that she spotted us leaving the park, but would have had to run like a crazy woman to catch us.  I'm kind of glad we didn't see them; that would have made leaving harder than it already was. 

After we parted, my husband decided that I should have t-shirts, advertising my blog, just as Amy had.  I’ve been thinking a long time about what my logo would look like, just then it hit me…an afro with a yellow bow.  Thanks, Amy! I’m crossing my fingers that we’ll see you again real soon.

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This is an original Cruncy Disney Ma post and should not be copied for use on any other blog without consent of the owner.

How To Salvage Your "Lost" Disney Vacation

At this very moment, we are supposed to be on a plane, headed for Orlando.  Since Hurricane Sandy has derailed our plans, I've decided to share with you how steps to recover a “lost” Disney vacation and included phone numbers for your calling pleasure. 

Get angry and panic…
When natural disasters occur, you are your own travel agent, and you decided to opt out of the vacation insurance offered, there isn't much to be said that will lower your blood pressure back to a normal state, so go ahead and panic.  Get it out of your system before you call your airline or Disney to try and salvage your vacation.  Do not try to call until then.  There’s no need to get angry with the agent trying to help you; chances are they are already having a rough day.  Do yourself and the agent who will speak to you a favor and have a cup of coffee or something before you start making calls.

Call Disney…
Normally, you cannot make changes to your vacation less than 45 days away from arrival without incurring some costs.  In the case of a natural disaster, Disney makes an exception to the rule.  Expect that wait times may be long.  Find out what your options are.  You can try to continue your vacation, move it to another date, or cancel it altogether. (Gah! Who would do such a thing?!)  We chose to postpone our vacation by 11 days, since we were going during the Free Dining promotion and did not want to lose that valuable option added to our package.  Moving our vacation to a date prior to that would mean losing free dining.  The cast member gave us three options, two that would cost no additional money and one with a slight package upgrade.  We chose the best option for us and canceled all of our dining reservations. (More on that later.)  (407-939-7675)

These are headed for the recycle bin!

Next, we had to contact Disney’s Magical Express and inform them that we would not be arriving and gave them the new arrival dates.  Since we are more than a week out, a new book and tags are being sent.  It's kind of sad that these luggage tags are headed for the recycle bin, rather than scrapbook.  They can't be reused.  (866-599-0951)

Then, I had to call bell services at our resort.  I typically ship non-perishable, consumable items to our resort, such as snacks, instant oatmeal, glow necklaces, etc.  Since our box of items has our scheduled arrival date and reservation number on (and in) it. It was easy for them to find, retag and put away for safe keeping.

Call your airline…
Airlines have no problem rescheduling your flight, especially if it was canceled due to inclement weather.  Prior to my call, I checked out available flight options online, so I knew what I wanted before I waited an hour (yes, an hour) to actually speak to someone.  They were more than happy to book us on a flight nearly two weeks away from our original dates, giving those who really needed to get home a chance at a flight.

Reschedule Dining Reservations…
I think I was the most upset over losing dining reservations.  When you wake up six months before your trip to get the perfect collection of ADRs and then lose them, it’s enough to cause Donald Duck style catastrophes to occur in your home.  California Grill is my favorite restaurant; the thought of losing a reservation put hummingbird moth sized butterflies in my stomach.  Luckily, I was able to get another one of these coveted ADRs, but I did lose our Chef Mickey’s reservation.  Oh well…some other family will be happy when they walk up and there’s availability.  I just hope I have the same luck when I show up to beg in a couple of weeks. (407- 939-3463)

Cancel or Change Special Event Tickets
We were planning to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.  Our daughter was chomping at the bit to go.  I have yet to explain to her why we aren't trick or treating at Mickey’s house.  Nonetheless, we will be there during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  It will be nice to see Christmas decorations at the parks since I've vowed never to go to Disney World during Christmastime because I prefer smaller crowds.  Normally, these tickets are non-refundable, but again, because of Hurricane Sandy, we had no problems changing this. (407-566-4985, option #5, this office is only open 8:30 am – 4:30 pm ET)

So, there you have it.  While I didn't quite get what I wanted, we will still have our Disney vacation.  I’m a firm believer in everything happening for a reason, so I’m predicting that this revised trip will be pretty awesome.  Since we are ten days out (again) I'm headed off to do Online Check In.  Prayers have already gone out to those on the east coast affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Stay safe, folks!

Quick Eats & Treats

Disney vacations have become more about the food than the attractions for me.  On our next trip, I decided not to upgrade the free dining plan to the deluxe dining plan (as I normally do) because  I've read a lot of blogs and listened to a lot of friends, and there are a few quick things that I must "yum" on, this vacation.  I have no idea how I’m going to squeeze all this into my tummy, but I am sure going to try. 

Dole Whip Float at Aloha Isle, Magic Kingdom – This is a must have on every trip.  I prefer the float to the standard Dole Whip.  My finicky husband likes neither.  I’m guessing he was dropped on his head as a baby.

Mac & Cheese Truffle Oil Hotdog at Fairfax Fare, Hollywood Studios – Truffle Oil, cheese, bacon and a hot dog?  I love a good hot dog, and this sounds like something that should come on an edible plate so I can make sure nothing is left.  My only concern is whether or not I’ll like the hot dog itself.  Just putting this on the list makes me feel like I’m cheating on our regional favorite, Koegel Viennas.

Cupcakes at Starring Rolls Café, Hollywood Studios – I had my heart set on a few of the famed cupcake concoctions contained in this café. Imagine my disgust upon learning they close early, as I banged my head on the locked doors during our previous trip. 

Lobster Roll at Columbia Harbor House, Magic Kingdom – It’s seafood. ‘Nuff said…

Lobster Roll at Hops & Barley booth, Epcot Food & Wine Festival – I need to compare this with the one at Columbia Harbor House, you know, for review purposes.  Do I really need an explanation for this one?  It’s seafood.  ‘Nuff said!

White Chocolate Elephant Cupcake, Kisafini Coffee Shop, Animal Kingdom – Another cupcake that I’ve heard a lot about, unfortunately from the sounds of it, I’ll have to buy two or share with my daughter.

Beignets, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, Port Orleans French Quarter – While I’m doing laundry, I think I’ll take the stroll from Port Orleans Riverside to French Quarter to have an order of beignets. 

Earl of Sandwich – I was on one of my favorite message boards and there was a question asked about a favorite non-park food stop.  An overwhelming majority of people said Earl of Sandwich.  Now, I have to go see what all of the hub bub is about.

LeFou’s Brew, Gaston’s Tavern, Magic Kingdom – Can’t wait to taste the signature drink in Gaston’s Tavern, part of the new Fantasyland.  I hear there are cinnamon rolls there, too. This might be a good breakfast stop, if they are allowing guests into the area while we are there next week, which will be before the scheduled opening date in December.

Now, I just have to burn calories before I go, so my clothes will fit the entire trip.  Hope you aren't as hungry as I am now!