Why does Flight of Passage always make me cry? ~ An 11 day August/24 Disney extravaganza! updated 01/12 x2

[suse66]

Dining at Topolinos with the strangest waiter.

Our reservation was at 7:15 and we checked in about 10 minutes before. We had a lovely table with banquette seating on one side and chairs on the other. Our waiter appeared nice originally but proceeded to try to tell us what to order with a very determined upsell. I just smiled sweetly (everyone knows when I have this certain smile I am p*****d) and said oh we are quite sure of what our choices are. We'll take our time and let you know when we are ready to order. We all felt he was trying to rush us and upsell us for all he was worth. So we decided to meander out to the terrace after placing our drink and appie orders as the light was perfect for some cute photos. I had the Passion Fruit whiskey sour (Jameson Irish Whiskey, Passion Fruit, Lime, Aquafaba)as my cocktail which was excellent.
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Melinda took these two of me and I love the second one so much it has been my FB profile pic ever since.


We headed back to the table and our appetizers soon appeared. I went with the house made ricotta (Tomato, Aged Balsamic, Cracked Pepper, Basil, Epi) while Melinda chose the Gnocchi (Braised Lamb Shoulder, Exotic Mushrooms, Lamb Jus, Kale, Carrots) and Billie went with the pork belly (Handkerchief Pasta, Marsala Glaze, Spring Pea Soubise). We shared all the appies and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the lamb. I had never tried lamb before and I was so rich and flavourful. We opted to order our mains when we finished our applies as we wanted to pace our meal properly. We waited for the house bread to be brought to the table but our waiter was no where to be found. So we sweetly asked one of the managers who brought it to us after I said I can't imagine where our waiter disappeared to. We saw her chatting to him and he was on his best behaviour (if still smarmy) with us after that.



For my main I chose the scallops (Celeriac-Parsnip Purée, Charred Apple Chutney, Winter Root Vegetables) while Melinda chose the Branzino (fingerling potatoes, olives, tomato coulis, scallions, panisse, fine herbs) and Billie opted for the Rigatoni (braised chicken sugo, broccolini, pancetta, wild mushrooms, black truffle). Melinda and I had the suggested wine pairings with our meals while Billie stuck with sweet tea as she was driving.

We all shared the phenomenal molten chocolate cake for dessert which was so rich the three of us could not finish it. I had tea to end the evening while Melinda enjoyed another glass of wine. And of course being the loving, generous human that she is, she treated us to dinner.

It was a spectacular evening with the kind of company that makes your heart happy.



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[pkondz]

This weekend is the 16th anniversary of the trip that started my Disney obsession! It was our first time with our three boys and my first time ever at WDW! I couldn't resist adding some throwback pictures from sheer cuteness value.

Awww... Thanks for those.
I'm sure they've changed quite a bit in the meantime, but you haven't changed a bit!

I missed the bus to AK from BLT by 2 minutes

So close!

"Not sure if supposed to look scary or not..."

dresses were all on point for an AK day too.

You all look great.

Don't think I've seen that before. Is that a game or something for them?

We had fun running into Kevin and chatted away with her.

Chatted? She talks??

Of course Nomad Lounge called our name and we sat indoors as Billie isn't a big fan of the heat.

I'm not either. Indoors for me!

Drinks and churros all around

Some day I'm going to try those churros.

AP magnet distribution was happening in Dinoland and the girls headed down there. Sadly I had forgotten my ID in the hotel room so couldn't pick up my magnet.

Bummer. Hopefully you got it later.

Our waiter appeared nice originally but proceeded to try to tell us what to order with a very determined upsell.

I just smiled sweetly (everyone knows when I have this certain smile I am p*****d)

Uh, oh!

I had the Passion Fruit whiskey sour (Jameson Irish Whiskey, Passion Fruit, Lime, Aquafaba)as my cocktail which was excellent.

That sounds good.

Nice face painting. I especially like Melinda's. Understated, and yet not.

Great lighting. Love this.

Melinda took these two of me and I love the second one so much it has been my FB profile pic ever since.

I can see why!

I went with the house made ricotta (Tomato, Aged Balsamic, Cracked Pepper, Basil, Epi) while Melinda chose the Gnocchi (Braised Lamb Shoulder, Exotic Mushrooms, Lamb Jus, Kale, Carrots) and Billie went with the pork belly (Handkerchief Pasta, Marsala Glaze, Spring Pea Soubise)

I'd have any of those. They all sound good.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the lamb. I had never tried lamb before

Really! Good for you for trying it.

So we sweetly asked one of the managers who brought it to us after I said I can't imagine where our waiter disappeared to. We saw her chatting to him and he was on his best behaviour (if still smarmy) with us after that.

oooohhhh... you is evil! Love it.

For my main I chose the scallops (Celeriac-Parsnip Purée, Charred Apple Chutney, Winter Root Vegetables) while Melinda chose the Branzino (fingerling potatoes, olives, tomato coulis, scallions, panisse, fine herbs) and Billie opted for the Rigatoni (braised chicken sugo, broccolini, pancetta, wild mushrooms, black truffle).

Again, would do all of those. Yum!

We all shared the phenomenal molten chocolate cake for dessert which was so rich the three of us could not finish it.

Whoa!

And of course being the loving, generous human that she is, she treated us to dinner.

Wow! Very nice of her.

 

[Paulaparm]

Great throwback pictures! Thanks for sharing them.

 

[Wood Nymph]

This weekend is the 16th anniversary of the trip that started my Disney obsession! It was our first time with our three boys and my first time ever at WDW! I couldn't resist adding some throwback pictures from sheer cuteness value.

I love the pictures of you and the boys.

Melinda took these two of me and I love the second one so much it has been my FB profile pic ever since.

It is a beautiful sunset. You look relaxed and happy.

 

[Steppesister]

Awww, such fun throw backs. I remember my first trip with my kiddos- only 3/5 like Disney very much, but we sure had fun.

Lovely dinner, even if a bit odd. I hate the upselling, hard pressure sales stuff. Turns me right off! Grrr.!

 

[suse66]

Awww... Thanks for those.
I'm sure they've changed quite a bit in the meantime, but you haven't changed a bit!

Well.......I may have added some crinkles and a few white strands but I am happy about them. Getting older is a privilege and I plan to enjoy every year I have to the fullest.

You all look great.

Thank you!

Don't think I've seen that before. Is that a game or something for them?

It's one of the enrichment tools. I think they put food inside to entice them to come over and figure out how to get it out. That is baby Ada (now about 3) with it.

Chatted? She talks??

She will respond to what you say with her "caw caw". It's hilarious!

Some day I'm going to try those churros.

You will love them!

Uh, oh!

Here's my thing...I am a really nice person until I'm not. Then it's a watch out situation. But I will still smile and be sweet, just a deadly sweet.

Nice face painting. I especially like Melinda's. Understated, and yet not.

They both looked so good!

oooohhhh... you is evil! Love it.

When necessary.....

Wow! Very nice of her.

Melinda is the best! Don't worry, Billie and I managed to return the favour the next day.

Great throwback pictures! Thanks for sharing them.

You're welcome! The years go by so quickly.

I love the pictures of you and the boys.

Thank you so much!

It is a beautiful sunset. You look relaxed and happy.

It was one of those magical evenings that I will always remember.

Awww, such fun throw backs. I remember my first trip with my kiddos- only 3/5 like Disney very much, but we sure had fun.

Disney trip memories are the best!

Lovely dinner, even if a bit odd. I hate the upselling, hard pressure sales stuff. Turns me right off! Grrr.!

Same here...I find it rude and condescending. He had this whole "I know better than you" attitude.

 

[pkondz]

Getting older is a privilege and I plan to enjoy every year I have to the fullest.

As a friend of mine reminded me the other day... beats the alternative.

It's one of the enrichment tools. I think they put food inside to entice them to come over and figure out how to get it out. That is baby Ada (now about 3) with it.

Ah!

She will respond to what you say with her "caw caw". It's hilarious!

I had no idea!!

Here's my thing...I am a really nice person until I'm not. Then it's a watch out situation. But I will still smile and be sweet, just a deadly sweet.

<pkondz treads lightly...>

Melinda is the best! Don't worry, Billie and I managed to return the favour the next day.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Hi Susan! I’m all caught up on your trip report and loved reading about your adventures. You enjoyed so much time with other DISers and so many great meals!

It’s too bad your main dish at La Hacienda was lacking, but I’m glad the appetizers and dessert (and view!) rectified the meal. Your dinner at Topolino’s sounded lovely even if your waiter was not.

I’d love to stay at POFQ one day - I’ve stayed at POR twice and think I’d love the smaller footprint of French Quarter. The beignets would be wonderful, too! Your room at BLT was also great (I’m glad they were able to switch your room) and your view was excellent.

Your day of four parks in one day was well done - I’m impressed that you even included a break!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Aww great throwback photos of you and the boys. Time does indeed pass swiftly but isn’t it great to have the fab memories of those days when they were all small and full of fun.
Back to the present day and you ladies all look fabulous in your dresses at AK. It looks like a gorgeous day. Someday I will eat those churros Truthfully I can’t quite believe I haven’t already
Your meal at Riveria looks absolutely scrumptious and I’m glad you were able to enjoy it despite your waiter. I hate when they try to tell you what to order and love that you handled it with your killer smile

 

[suse66]

Hi Susan! I’m all caught up on your trip report and loved reading about your adventures. You enjoyed so much time with other DISers and so many great meals!

It’s too bad your main dish at La Hacienda was lacking, but I’m glad the appetizers and dessert (and view!) rectified the meal. Your dinner at Topolino’s sounded lovely even if your waiter was not.

I’d love to stay at POFQ one day - I’ve stayed at POR twice and think I’d love the smaller footprint of French Quarter. The beignets would be wonderful, too! Your room at BLT was also great (I’m glad they were able to switch your room) and your view was excellent.

Your day of four parks in one day was well done - I’m impressed that you even included a break!

Hi Jenny! So nice to see you here! My summer trip really was so lovely. It's fun to do an extended trip. Yes, POFQ is such a special place. I will definitely stay there again. I have two days left on this TR and then will be starting the TR from my Christmas trip with Caroline. My next Disney travels will be in December, I just can't get enough of Disney at Christmas. This summer my DH and I are going to Oahu with 6 nights at Aulani to celebrate our wedding anniversary and his retirement.

Aww great throwback photos of you and the boys. Time does indeed pass swiftly but isn’t it great to have the fab memories of those days when they were all small and full of fun.
Back to the present day and you ladies all look fabulous in your dresses at AK. It looks like a gorgeous day. Someday I will eat those churros Truthfully I can’t quite believe I haven’t already
Your meal at Riveria looks absolutely scrumptious and I’m glad you were able to enjoy it despite your waiter. I hate when they try to tell you what to order and love that you handled it with your killer smile

I love all those sweet memories. As much as I love the men they have grown up to be, it's nice to look back too.

Hopefully you will get to enjoy those churros sooner than later. Will you be taking those sweet grands any time? I really love Topolinos for both breakfast and dinner. The food is excellent.