FOODIE FRIDAY! The Last Day of My Birthday Trip.

😞  Yes, all good things must come to an end.  Fun trips to my Happy Place are always exciting, but that last day is always a real bummer.  I packed up early,  left my resort room, and took my bags down to Bell Services, and boarded a bus to Magic Kingdom for the last time.  

Right when I stepped onto Main Street, numerous characters were making an appearance on the upper area of the train station.  That was fun to see and interact with them for a few minutes.

Gaston showing off!

After that, I headed straight to Fantasyland so I could have breakfast at Gaston's!  I had to have a cinnamon roll on this trip, and I saved it for the last day.

I waited in line for about 15 minutes due to the Covid protocols.  It wasn't all that bad, and I was able to get a seat inside.  I was glad because just as I walked in to place my order, it started to drizzle.  I ordered a coffee and got extra icing with my cinnamon roll!  Yumm Yumm!!!  

After breakfast, I did a few things around the park.  I went on Little Mermaid twice since there was literally no line.  I also went over to Carousel of Progress.  I Saw Stitch and Buzz Lightyear.

After this, it was almost time for lunch so I headed back over to Main Street.  My lunch reservation was at Tony's Town Square.  This was the first experience here for me.  Another place that gets mixed reviews, so I thought I would give it a go and see for myself.

These photos are the view from my table.

I must say, I was pleasantly surprised with my experience.  

I ordered the Caprese Salad and the Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo.  I thought both were really good. 

 They also brought me the bread and dipping oil. 

My server was really sweet and brought me some ice cream for dessert because she knew it was my birthday.

After my lunch, I went into the ladies' room right outside the restaurant area, and I almost had something tragic happen.  I did not realize what had transpired when I was in there.  My Pandora bracelet that is TOTALLY full of Disney charms, fell off my wrist, and I never even felt it drop.  I did not realize this until I was outside and going to get in line for the Photo Pass photographer.  I went to adjust my bracelet, but there was no bracelet to adjust.  I got a lump in my throat, and my heart started beating fast as I went into full-out panic mode. 

 I talked myself into retracing my steps. So, I went back to the desk at the restaurant, and there it was.......in the host's hand!  My bracelet, I screamed quietly!  He said, "Oh my goodness, a lady just brought this to us from the bathroom.  She said it was on the floor."  I literally started to cry and asked if she was still there.  They said, "No, she was just leaving and dropped it by with us."  

To the kind lady, where ever you are.....Thank you, and God Bless you for being so honest!!  My faith in humanity has been restored.

With that, I said, "See Ya Real Soon" to my Happy Place. 

God willing, I can make a trip back in early December.

  

 

THROWBACK THURSDAY!

 Two very different looks of Rapunzel's Tower on the same trip in May of 2013.  My first day was gloomy and rainy.  The last part of the trip was bright and sunny!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

 

FOODIE FRIDAY!! My First Experience at The Wave!!

 Hey all!  Sorry for missing last Friday, but we were out of town and I totally forgot to do my post before we left.  (Old age).

This week we are taking a look at my experience...my very first experience heading to the Contemporary for my dinner at The Wave... of American Flavors.

I am not really sure what took me so long to try this place, but I regret I had not been until now.  I was very pleasantly surprised with my experience.  Maybe I should say surprised, as I have heard many great things about it.  

I had a partial day at Animal Kingdom and headed back to my resort to rest, pack (as I was leaving the next day) and change my clothes for a nice evening out.

My reservation was at 7pm, and I arrived at about 6:45, so I checked in and got called shortly before my 7pm time.  

I was seated and taken care of shortly thereafter.  My server was very efficient.  

I ordered a cocktail instead of wine today!  Yeah, I bet you are surprised!! 😉   This cocktail was recommended to me by a friend, Pat W., and also a member of my Walt Disney Maniacs group on Facebook.  This is called the BAY LAKE SUNSET.  It's no longer on the menu, but she suggested I ask if they can make it.  Low and behold, the server came back and said one of the bartenders that night has been there a while so he knew exactly what to do!  Lucky me, because it was delicious!  Thanks again to Pat!

I ordered the "Seasonal Salad" which was totally delicious.  It changes up with different ingredients and I was lucky enough to get field greens, strawberries, goat cheese, and a strawberry vinaigrette dressing. 

 

For my entree, I had to go steak!  It was the Grilled Beef Tenderloin, and it was fabulous!  It was served with potato gratin, asparagus (which I adore), and a peppadew vinaigrette.  

I really enjoyed it for my last dinner meal at Walt Disney World.  

For dessert, I had a coffee and a Creme Brulee!  It too was delicious, and the coffee was great!

Thanks for checking out my experience at The Wave!  Join me next week as we look at the last half-day of my trip.  That includes breakfast at Gaston's and lunch at Tony's Town Square!  

See Ya Real Soon!

THROWBACK THURSDAY! May 1, 2013

My first time dining at Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom.

This was a wonderful experience.  

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!! (NOT DISNEY THIS WEEK!)

 

                                        WE WENT TO DOLLYWOOD!!!

OUR VISIT TO DOLLYWOOD!

 We experienced Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN for the first time this week.  We totally enjoyed ourselves, and it was a great place to spend our 12th Anniversary.  

Our visit coincided with the Flower & Food Festival going on right now.  The topiaries were scattered around the park (not as many as Epcot has for their Flower & Garden Festival, but great non the less.)

We really enjoyed seeing them.

      I guess the big mistake of the day was thinking it was a good idea to go on the Lightning Rod rollercoaster the first thing when we got there.  Going 70mph at 9:15am maybe was not the smartest decision I ever made!  

Seeing your life flash before your eyes, brings everything into perspective, especially when what you saw was pretty boring in the grand scheme of things.  

After that experience, we came down to earth knowing we were alive and enjoyed the rest of our day wandering around the park and seeing the old cars, more flowers, and even going to church at the chapel!  (I for one was thanking God for sparing my life on the day of our anniversary!)

The Cinnamon Bread was everything we had heard about, and more!  It was delicious!  It was like a treat from heaven (without actually losing my life on the rollercoaster and living to tell the tale!)

This little hidden gem can be found in the woodcarver's shop.  Say hello to Mary Ann!  Don't know the story, check it out by using google to research!

The Chapel is named after the Dr. who brought Dolly into this world! 

Robert F. Thomas is his name.

We went for a ride on the train!  This was really nice and relaxing, and more our speed than careening down a wooden track that you can't see the bottom of!

Paul really enjoyed chatting with the Engineer and the Conductor!

This is Dolly's COAT OF MANY COLORS display!  

This is the harp fountain!

Thanks for reading about our little adventure to Dollywood!!