The Woods Wonderful WDW Hol Nov 2010 Day 13

[sarahewoods]

The Woods Wonderful Walt Disney World Holiday November 2010
Day 13

Full trip Index

Hey, guess what? Don’t tell anyone but it’s my Birthday today…

Woke up early (5.45) as we have a very early ADR at Crystal Palace, and promptly woke everyone else. Beth was not impressed and was in a terrible mood, and Nick asked her to be nice as it was my Birthday, and she just said, So what? Kids hey, don't you just love em at times.

I opened my Birthday cards and presents, helped along by Max. Charlotte was not happy now as she wanted to pass things to me. I got a beautiful necklace of my friend and Dibber Roo, thank you Roo. I also got another necklace off my friends back home and a watch which Nick and the children chose for me on the first day of our holiday.




So the lack of sleep really is making the children quite miserable, especially the girls, and it is tiring me out listening to them, I just wanted them to not complain this morning, but it didn’t happen, I can but hope an dream, after all we are in Disney World.



So we eventually got out of the door at 6.45, and the bus turned up just after 7. We were soon at Magic Kingdom, and waited at the front to get in. Charlotte ran ahead and up Main Street on her own, which was lovely as it was empty.






We stopped for photo pass photos then went over to the Crystal Palace to check in. We were soon seated, and were quite surprised as it was very busy. Our server was Stephen, and explained how things work. I felt crampted, the table looked like it was more for 4 people not 6, but we just got on with it. The inside is stunning by the way.



I took the children over to the buffet first, and was really impressed with the selection, once I had seated them again, I went back to sort myself out.'first with hot food then fruit.




Nick followed suit, with a plate full of food.



First to our table was Piglet, he spent a great deal of time with us and interacted very well with everyone.





Tigger was next and again was brilliant with everyone.



Max and Charlotte then joined in the parade, which they appear to enjoy, and then we seemed to wait ages for the next character which was pooh. Max wouldn’t stop hugging him, and he had to takes his hands from around him in the end…..lol






Afterwards I was brought a Birthday cupcake and they lit it right away, the children sang Happy Birthday to me, and Nick missed it as he was in the bathroom.

Cont below...

[TORIMS]

Oooh - I'm the first to read this one - lol! Another Fab report Sarah, really enjoying reading them all and the photographs are brilliant.

It is a nightmare when you the kids dont sleep properly on holiday isnt it - it can be so draining!

Look forward to reading your remaining reports (must only be one or two left to go! )

Take care
Vicki x

[sarahewoods]

Cont from above...

The children were getting a little anxious that Eeyore hadn’t been to our table, but I assured them he would be here soon. Just after the server came to our table with the bill, which I settled there and then. 5 minutes later, he returned and asked what was keeping us, rude man. :angry:I explained that Eeyore hadn’t been, and he said we must have missed him. I said there had always been someone at the table and if he didn’t mind we wanted to wait for him. In the time it took for eeyore to arrive, pooh and tigger came back to our table.

So eventually he arrived and the children loved him, he is Beth and Charlotte’s favourite so you can see why we waited. However, as you can see from these photos, beth was still in a bad mood and didn't want any photos taking.



Eventually at 9.20 after spending one hour and 20 minutes in there, we left and moved into Fantasyland, as we wanted to check if we could get a ADR at CRT, but were told we needed to enquire at City Hall.

So from here we moved towards Toontown, but when we arrived it was only 9.35, and didn’t open until 10.00, so we went to Tomorrowland instead. As there was only a 10 minute way for speedway we all went on, well that is all apart from Beth who’s first encounter driving didn’t go down too well, so sat out.



Charlotte steered, I controlled the brake, and she did fabulous. Again so did Max with Nick, Brandan rode alone. All happy bunnies apart from Beth we moved on to Astro Orbiter. Her moods really are giving me whiplash today, and she is doing her best to try and spoil my Birthday, too happy to let her though.






From here we went on the people mover, which was great, love how it took you through rides. Also Beth's mood was starting to lift, which was good.



Next was Buzz lightyear, Max was a little worried, but did go on in the end, and he enjoyed it.

Lastly in this area we did Stitches great escape, and Max hated it, I didn’t like the fact that the things didn’t stop when it hit my shoulders and felt like I was been crushed…lol.



It was now 11.15, and we back tracked to Toontown. We just wanted to do Minnie and Mickeys houses, which were interesting, and well put together.






We caught the railroad back to the entrance, where we bought lots of goodies in the confectionary to use us some snack credits. We bought 10 pieces of fudge, 2 m&m cup-cakes, 4 crispy treats, 2 snowman cookies, 2 water, and still have 104 left…lol All of this is going home, so hope everyone back there has a sweet tooth.

We exited the park and caught the monorail over to the Grand Floridian, as we have a lunch ADR at the Grand Floridian Café. Whilst on the short journey, Charlotte dropped to sleep.



We arrived at 12.35, and took a look around Basin, purchasing a few things to take home before making our way to check in.




We were seated at 1pm, and were very impressed with how beautiful the place was. The tiredness was showing on Nick, as you can see.




Our server was Laura, and was lovely. She took our drinks order which we all had soft drinks, and then ordered our starters, which were: Caramelized Onion Soup au Gratin Quattro Formaggio and Provolone, and was beautiful but very filling so only ate half of it.



Nick had soup of the Day which was Tomoto and Basil, he enjoyed it very much, well he didn’t leave any so must have…lol



Cont below...

[sarahewoods]

Cont from above...

Only Max wanted a starter out of the children and he chose Chicken noodle soup. (Sorry no photo)

A little time later our entrees arrived which were, The Grand Sandwich - Open-faced hot Turkey, Ham, Bacon and Tomato, with a rich Boursin Cheese Sauce and Fried Onion Straws for Nick, Beth and Brandan. No one enjoyed the onion straws apparently.



I had the Rustic Chicken Sandwich - sun-dried tomato pesto, Dijon mayonnaise and Field Greens served with Marinated Cucumber Salad or Homemade Potato Chips. The bread was burnt, too long under the grill, so I left it, but apart from that it was very nice.



Charlotte chose the children’s Chicken, sorry no photo, and Max had steak which he loved.



For desserts we ordered two of, A Sweet Ending to Your Celebration... Dessert Sampler - Tiramisu, Chocolate Mousse, Key Lime Tart, and Lemon Cheesecake. Mine and Nicks were brought out with Happy Birthday wrote on the plate in chocolate, which was a lovely ending to a beautiful lunch.




We paid our $23.00 instead of the 18% which was $19.64, and out of pocket would have cost $139.20. When we went out into the lobby the children posed for photo’s with the giant gingerbread house.



By now it was well past 2.30, and we wanted to get back to OKW to have a nap before heading out to California Grill later that evening. We used the monorail to Magic Kingdom, and bus to OKW, which took an age to turn up. The nap began on the bus, and I could have easily dropped off too. Not sure what other people thought on the bus but everyone was looking at us...lol




Once back at the resort we relaxed, and slept and then began getting ready to go to the contemporary for dinner. The taxi arrived as ordered and were soon there. I like the fact that someone came down in a lift to collect you to take you up to the restaurant. Once up at the cali grill, we were given a buzzer, and was surprised how busy it was. Thought this was a great photo apart from Max covering his face...lol as he wanted to take the photo which he did the next one.




It was only 5 minutes and were shown to our table, right in the middle of the resturant, with a view of the castle.



It is such a beautiful place, and has a lovely ambience to it. Our server introduced herself as Dawn, and was great, explaining all the courses and wines to us. We ordered drinks, of wine, not sure what I had though, and then ordered starters. She asked us if we were here for the evening, and asked if we would like time between courses which we did. The children played with the mickey heads on the table.




So I ordered, Yellowfin Tuna Three Ways - Poki, Tartare, and Tataki which looked beautiful on the plate and was delicious.



Nick chose, Slow-roasted Suckling Pig - with Heirloom Apple Butter, Cheddar, Caramelized Onions, and "Cracklins" which he ate a little of, but said he wouldn’t order again.



Beth and Brandan also had a flatbread, which was Triple Cheese - Pecorino, Asiago, and Provolone with Sun-dried Tomato and Arugula Pesto, sorry no photo.

Max and Charlotte both had a fruit bowl.



We chatted and the children were all happy between courses.



Cont below...

[sarahewoods]

Cont from above...

About 30 minutes later ours entrees were brought out. Which consitited of, Veal Chop - with Potato Rosti, Golden Chanterelles, Salsify, Pearl Onions, Carrot Puree, and Madeira Jus for Nick, which he thought was devine.



For me was, Filet migeon, which was cooked to perfection, yum yum.



Beth and Brandan’s choice was Filet, with a side of vegetables and macaroni, which they both really enjoyed.



Charlotte had pizza, which I would have preferred if she had chose something with vegetables, but didn’t want her crying and stomping her feet tonight, sorry no photo. Max had filet again, which he devoured very quickly, he sure is getting a taste for expensive steak…lol



After we had finished I took the little ones to the bathroom, and as soon as I returned to the table, my cake was brought out. Wow it was beautiful, and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me. It sure was a special moment which I will hold forever. Thank you Brian for a beautiful cake.





We decided not to cut Tink up, and naughtly ordered desserts, well it would be rude not to…lol

Nick, Beth and Brandan all ordered Valrhona Chocolate Cake - Warm chocolate cake w/molten center, cappuccino caramel crunch ice cream, sweet whipped cream and coffee caramel sauce, sorry about the photo, they had all started before I got the chance to take it.



I chose this, which I had written in my notepad as coconut and mango pana cotta, which was very nice indeed.



Max and Charlotte had one of these chocolate pots, and left none


Once we had all finished we made our way out onto the balcony to watch Wishes. For anyone who has not watched from here, please do so, it is so magical. This for me is the best Birthday I have ever had, and don’t think any will ever come close it. For me been in that place with my family next to me was simply perfection.




We settled the bill, which there was two elements to it, Alcohol and cake was $145.57, and tip for our meal which would have cost $320.78 was $57.74. So even though an expensive night, we thoroughly enjoyed.

We got a taxi back and sat and reflected on the past 13 days, and how this holiday has been such a wonderful experience for us all.

Total spends for today were: $287.64

Thank you for reading along xx

Day 13 Pt 1 in Video

Day 13 Pt 2 in Video

[Juliemack]

wow, so much food today...how lovely that you felt it was the best birthday ever at the end of your day...your dress is gorgeous btw, you looked lovely for your special meal...

[christybell]

Happy belated birthday Sarah, you all look so happy at Cali- What a wonderful evening to remember- Glad Beth shook her grumpy mood

[tomdan]

wow what a busyday, a great way to spend your birthday though

[Disney_Diva]

What an amazing way to spend your birthday x

[chaffey]

Sounds like you had the most amazing birthday. The cake was absolutely superb, did it taste as good as it looks?

Bought a little tear to my eye reading about how you had the most amazing day. Think I really need to get out

The children look shattered but glad they picked up to have a lovely evening