wdw1972
05-26-2008, 12:59 PM
DAY 3 – Sunday 5/25/08
Who: Sue (49), DVC member
Plan: Resort, Chefs de France, Comedy Warehouse
Actual: It ended up raining again last night, so staying in with the movie was a pretty good idea after all. I still have part of the salad left for lunch today, but I did finish the chocolate chip cookie from France – which means it’s time to pick up another one tonight!
I slept well, but woke up early (not as bad as if I was going to work, but close). I fell back asleep and didn’t wake up until just before 7, which was a reasonable time. I got up and cleaned up/dressed and made a half cup of cappuccino. I took it and the laptop out to the balcony but I must have dislodged a cord a bit. This is why anything less than wireless is just not acceptable! It was real humid out there too, so I went back inside & was able to save the connection by pushing the cord in further and signing back on.
Around 7:30 I walked over to the Yacht Club and had breakfast at Captain’s Grille (formerly Yacht Club Galley). This was the first time I’d actually seen the buffet area, and it looks nice. SB enjoys that, but I stick with the yogurt & fruit parfait. That’s what I ordered again today, as it’s plenty for me and I cannot get this version anywhere else. They use their own granola, which is really good. The parfait is on the menu as a “starter” (along with oatmeal), but I cannot imagine eating this plus a full breakfast. One of the unusual menu items only found here is crab cakes benedict, which the hostess said was excellent. I’ll take her word for it, but since I don’t like crab or crab cakes I’ll take a pass!
Service was prompt, and the parfait was excellent. I finished it, but I was pretty full at that point. At this meal I added extra gratuity, as the parfait is only $4.49 so the 18% tip added by DDE was less than $1. Normally I just let the 18% be the tip, but in this case I wasn’t comfortable leaving it at that. The receipt has a tip line, so I just added extra to bring it up to what I would have normally left.
After breakfast I walked back over to the Boardwalk. It was still somewhat foggy, and very humid. Lots of joggers were out, and I had no desire to ever join them! Most of them were younger than me, and all looked very slim & fit. No doubt jogging is easier for them than it ever was for me, lol! Back at the Boardwalk I stopped at Muscles & Bustles and used the equipment. I had time to kill, as it was too early for the pool (for me – I’m sure it was open). There were only a handful of people working out, including one very muscular lifting weights and making noise. My gym doesn’t allow those noises, which is nice. This guy did have a great body – huge biceps/triceps!
Once I’d finished the workout I went back up to the studio and hung out for a little while. SB called, so I shared the plans for my day. About 9:30 I went downstairs and hardly any people were out at the main pool. I knew that would change though, so I continued walking to the quiet pool in the villas area. I spent 3 hours out there, going upstairs around 11 to get the rest of my salad from last night. When I started it last night I put what I wanted to eat on a separate plate, and used half of the salad dressing. That way what was left over this morning was still relatively fresh instead of soggy & wilted. SB called a while before his game started – teasingly moaning about me being here while he has to work. Nobody said life is fair, and right now I’m glad I’m on the “good” side of things, lol!
I went back up to the studio, and was surprised to find it was really pleasant out on the balcony. I brought the laptop out there and poured a glass of wine for myself to enjoy while I sat out there listening to the start of his game. I brought one of the Vendange cardboard containers of wine that I buy in Publix for around $3. It’s supposed to be 3 glasses, but using the Epcot plastic wine glass it’s more like 6 glasses. So, it’s the right size for a solo long weekend trip. The balcony was great – shady, nice breeze, boat horns every now & then, icy cold wine, and listening to the game. After a while I went back inside, and during the game I showered & got dressed for the rest of the day so I’d be ready to leave as soon as the game ended.
After a long and stressful game, I left the studio around 4:15 or so, and walked into Epcot. I didn’t have anything particular in mind other than wandering around for a while, and knowing SB would call when leaving the ballpark I wanted to be where I could get the call. It was a nice walk over to Epcot, and I really like the International Gateway vs the front entrance. Today the computers at the turnstiles were down, so the 2 cast members each manned 1 turnstile and manually let people into the park. However, there was no notice, and the other turnstiles appeared to be open (the cards would not read though), so people coming up kept going over and trying them (me included) only to be told afterwards “that one’s broken”. They should have turned the green arrow off and turned the red X on so people would know it was closed.
At the top of the hill I turned right and went to France. Chefs de France was not open yet but the door was open and the cast member said I could show up earlier than my 5:30 reservation and be seated. They were turning away people without reservations, saying they were fully booked for tonight. I thought about eating at 5 instead of 5:30, but got busy with other things and didn’t show up until about 5:25.
At the USA I looked at the picture for the Cowsills to see what they looked like, then just wandered around through the rest of World Showcase. I thought about riding the Grand Fiesta Tour in Mexico, but the line was snaked back & forth in the queue area so I skipped it. SB called at some point and I found a quiet bench to chat with him for a while, then I browsed through MouseGear. I don’t understand why parents think it’s ok to put their baby on the floor of a busy store and sit down on the floor with her to “play” right where people are needing to walk. But, one thing about being at WDW – you see good parents but you also see many examples of stuff that boggles the mind.
I hadn’t been in Innoventions for a while, so I wandered through there and sent an email postcard to SB. On my way out I ran into Arlene from dvc, who works there along with her husband Hugh. I stopped and caught up with her – they’re such a nice couple, and they seem to love their retirement jobs. By now it was 5:15, so I walked quickly back to France and was seated immediately.
All the tables at the window were taken, but I was still in that big room and only 1 table away from the window. It was a great spot for watching people pass by outside, and I’ve always thought this room was the prettiest part of the restaurant. My waiter was very nice, and oh so cute. Too bad I’m so damn old, lol! I tried a Voovray chenin blanc which the waiter said was very good – and he was right. For my dinner I stuck with the French onion soup, and planned to try a dessert. The soup was very good, but so BIG! It’s also really hot, with the cheese melted across the top. I only managed to eat about 2/3 of it, but I really enjoyed it. I did check the dessert menu, but I really was too full to enjoy anything and since I’d had the crème brulee from the bakery my first night I decided to skip dessert here tonight. After settling the check I walked over to the USA to catch the very end of the Cowsill’s 5:45 concert.
It was a full house, and there were even people standing outside the theater. Epcot was much more crowded tonight and last night compared to Friday night. The Cowsills sounded good, but I couldn’t figure out what the heck the woman was wearing on her legs/feet. She had to be mid-50’s to 60’s (based on the years the songs were hits) and wore a white peasant blouse type thing, that came to within a few inches of the bottom of the short or mini skirt she was wearing. Then, on her legs she had what looked like sheer white hosiery, then green socks that came up to above her knee, and blue socks that came to just below her knee, and then cowboy boots! I might have remembered the colors wrong, but it was bizarre! A spot cleared on the wall so I sat there for the last song or 2, then continued walking knowing I’d be back for the 7pm concert.
I should have gone to catch the 6:30 Off Kilter show, but instead I wandered around. I got a glass of wine in Germany, along with a cup of ice, and returned to the USA just as the line was starting to move into the theater. I was actually in Italy when I joined the end of the line, but it was moving so it wasn’t bad. I found a seat in the front row of the 2nd section, right in the center. Seeing the start of the concert this time I learned they are 2 brothers and a sister. I had no idea who they were, but I did recognize a couple of the songs. The other songs were new to me, but they sounded great and I enjoyed their music.
Afterwards I made a stop at the bakery in France to replace the eaten chocolate chip cookie. The line was out the door, but I had no choice (going without wasn’t an option when it comes to those cookies). There were 3 teen girls ahead of me – who could have been cheerleaders. They each got 3 pastries – and not in a box for later! Oh, to have such a metabolism, lol! I spent about 10 minutes in line, but I got my cookie. I walked back to the Boardwalk, but not without snacking on part of it.
to be continued...
Who: Sue (49), DVC member
Plan: Resort, Chefs de France, Comedy Warehouse
Actual: It ended up raining again last night, so staying in with the movie was a pretty good idea after all. I still have part of the salad left for lunch today, but I did finish the chocolate chip cookie from France – which means it’s time to pick up another one tonight!
I slept well, but woke up early (not as bad as if I was going to work, but close). I fell back asleep and didn’t wake up until just before 7, which was a reasonable time. I got up and cleaned up/dressed and made a half cup of cappuccino. I took it and the laptop out to the balcony but I must have dislodged a cord a bit. This is why anything less than wireless is just not acceptable! It was real humid out there too, so I went back inside & was able to save the connection by pushing the cord in further and signing back on.
Around 7:30 I walked over to the Yacht Club and had breakfast at Captain’s Grille (formerly Yacht Club Galley). This was the first time I’d actually seen the buffet area, and it looks nice. SB enjoys that, but I stick with the yogurt & fruit parfait. That’s what I ordered again today, as it’s plenty for me and I cannot get this version anywhere else. They use their own granola, which is really good. The parfait is on the menu as a “starter” (along with oatmeal), but I cannot imagine eating this plus a full breakfast. One of the unusual menu items only found here is crab cakes benedict, which the hostess said was excellent. I’ll take her word for it, but since I don’t like crab or crab cakes I’ll take a pass!
Service was prompt, and the parfait was excellent. I finished it, but I was pretty full at that point. At this meal I added extra gratuity, as the parfait is only $4.49 so the 18% tip added by DDE was less than $1. Normally I just let the 18% be the tip, but in this case I wasn’t comfortable leaving it at that. The receipt has a tip line, so I just added extra to bring it up to what I would have normally left.
After breakfast I walked back over to the Boardwalk. It was still somewhat foggy, and very humid. Lots of joggers were out, and I had no desire to ever join them! Most of them were younger than me, and all looked very slim & fit. No doubt jogging is easier for them than it ever was for me, lol! Back at the Boardwalk I stopped at Muscles & Bustles and used the equipment. I had time to kill, as it was too early for the pool (for me – I’m sure it was open). There were only a handful of people working out, including one very muscular lifting weights and making noise. My gym doesn’t allow those noises, which is nice. This guy did have a great body – huge biceps/triceps!
Once I’d finished the workout I went back up to the studio and hung out for a little while. SB called, so I shared the plans for my day. About 9:30 I went downstairs and hardly any people were out at the main pool. I knew that would change though, so I continued walking to the quiet pool in the villas area. I spent 3 hours out there, going upstairs around 11 to get the rest of my salad from last night. When I started it last night I put what I wanted to eat on a separate plate, and used half of the salad dressing. That way what was left over this morning was still relatively fresh instead of soggy & wilted. SB called a while before his game started – teasingly moaning about me being here while he has to work. Nobody said life is fair, and right now I’m glad I’m on the “good” side of things, lol!
I went back up to the studio, and was surprised to find it was really pleasant out on the balcony. I brought the laptop out there and poured a glass of wine for myself to enjoy while I sat out there listening to the start of his game. I brought one of the Vendange cardboard containers of wine that I buy in Publix for around $3. It’s supposed to be 3 glasses, but using the Epcot plastic wine glass it’s more like 6 glasses. So, it’s the right size for a solo long weekend trip. The balcony was great – shady, nice breeze, boat horns every now & then, icy cold wine, and listening to the game. After a while I went back inside, and during the game I showered & got dressed for the rest of the day so I’d be ready to leave as soon as the game ended.
After a long and stressful game, I left the studio around 4:15 or so, and walked into Epcot. I didn’t have anything particular in mind other than wandering around for a while, and knowing SB would call when leaving the ballpark I wanted to be where I could get the call. It was a nice walk over to Epcot, and I really like the International Gateway vs the front entrance. Today the computers at the turnstiles were down, so the 2 cast members each manned 1 turnstile and manually let people into the park. However, there was no notice, and the other turnstiles appeared to be open (the cards would not read though), so people coming up kept going over and trying them (me included) only to be told afterwards “that one’s broken”. They should have turned the green arrow off and turned the red X on so people would know it was closed.
At the top of the hill I turned right and went to France. Chefs de France was not open yet but the door was open and the cast member said I could show up earlier than my 5:30 reservation and be seated. They were turning away people without reservations, saying they were fully booked for tonight. I thought about eating at 5 instead of 5:30, but got busy with other things and didn’t show up until about 5:25.
At the USA I looked at the picture for the Cowsills to see what they looked like, then just wandered around through the rest of World Showcase. I thought about riding the Grand Fiesta Tour in Mexico, but the line was snaked back & forth in the queue area so I skipped it. SB called at some point and I found a quiet bench to chat with him for a while, then I browsed through MouseGear. I don’t understand why parents think it’s ok to put their baby on the floor of a busy store and sit down on the floor with her to “play” right where people are needing to walk. But, one thing about being at WDW – you see good parents but you also see many examples of stuff that boggles the mind.
I hadn’t been in Innoventions for a while, so I wandered through there and sent an email postcard to SB. On my way out I ran into Arlene from dvc, who works there along with her husband Hugh. I stopped and caught up with her – they’re such a nice couple, and they seem to love their retirement jobs. By now it was 5:15, so I walked quickly back to France and was seated immediately.
All the tables at the window were taken, but I was still in that big room and only 1 table away from the window. It was a great spot for watching people pass by outside, and I’ve always thought this room was the prettiest part of the restaurant. My waiter was very nice, and oh so cute. Too bad I’m so damn old, lol! I tried a Voovray chenin blanc which the waiter said was very good – and he was right. For my dinner I stuck with the French onion soup, and planned to try a dessert. The soup was very good, but so BIG! It’s also really hot, with the cheese melted across the top. I only managed to eat about 2/3 of it, but I really enjoyed it. I did check the dessert menu, but I really was too full to enjoy anything and since I’d had the crème brulee from the bakery my first night I decided to skip dessert here tonight. After settling the check I walked over to the USA to catch the very end of the Cowsill’s 5:45 concert.
It was a full house, and there were even people standing outside the theater. Epcot was much more crowded tonight and last night compared to Friday night. The Cowsills sounded good, but I couldn’t figure out what the heck the woman was wearing on her legs/feet. She had to be mid-50’s to 60’s (based on the years the songs were hits) and wore a white peasant blouse type thing, that came to within a few inches of the bottom of the short or mini skirt she was wearing. Then, on her legs she had what looked like sheer white hosiery, then green socks that came up to above her knee, and blue socks that came to just below her knee, and then cowboy boots! I might have remembered the colors wrong, but it was bizarre! A spot cleared on the wall so I sat there for the last song or 2, then continued walking knowing I’d be back for the 7pm concert.
I should have gone to catch the 6:30 Off Kilter show, but instead I wandered around. I got a glass of wine in Germany, along with a cup of ice, and returned to the USA just as the line was starting to move into the theater. I was actually in Italy when I joined the end of the line, but it was moving so it wasn’t bad. I found a seat in the front row of the 2nd section, right in the center. Seeing the start of the concert this time I learned they are 2 brothers and a sister. I had no idea who they were, but I did recognize a couple of the songs. The other songs were new to me, but they sounded great and I enjoyed their music.
Afterwards I made a stop at the bakery in France to replace the eaten chocolate chip cookie. The line was out the door, but I had no choice (going without wasn’t an option when it comes to those cookies). There were 3 teen girls ahead of me – who could have been cheerleaders. They each got 3 pastries – and not in a box for later! Oh, to have such a metabolism, lol! I spent about 10 minutes in line, but I got my cookie. I walked back to the Boardwalk, but not without snacking on part of it.
to be continued...