You win some you booze some, a HOT August 2017 dining report! complete 1/25*

The only time we ride this is when it is the Jingle Cruise. :)
We ride it only occasionally in it's normal state; I realize this is blasphemous but none of us are huge fans. We can't pass up Jingle Cruise, though!

I'm still recovering from a Thanksgiving weekend stomach bug
Oh no, that stinks! I do hope you feel all better soon :hug:

I always hated my moms beef stroganoff. Wonder if this was a big difference...
It's not something I ever liked nor would I have gotten here, and I wasn't even looking to try Steve's (he made me). The gravy was so incredibly flavorful and the meat so tender, and since the noodles were almost spaetlze-like which I love it won me over :)

It's ok about the other weekend. You had a lot going on... Next time... One day!!!
It'll definitely happen one day! Things are calming down every day now, so keep telling me when you're coming!
 
Happy almost December everyone! Now that Thanksgiving is over, I have no extra people roaming around my house, and for the moment my PTA duties aren't calling as loudly, I can hopefully get a few updates out.

I left off with us finishing up our time at the F&W festival with some heavy duty noodles and a brat in Germany. We were getting close to head-back-to-the-resort time, but there were a couple things over on the FW side we wanted to do. One was located inside the Festival Center which we'd visited before, but failed to check out the chocolate sculptures! Obviously we couldn't eat them but I assumed I could handle just looking......

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This is my favorite, I wish I hadn't gotten the glare on poor Beast's nose!

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Can't believe they're all REALLY made out of chocolate?

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Aren't these amazing?? The pictures don't even do them justice. Each one was done by a catering team at either a resort or park; I didn't take notes on that part but I know one was AK, AKL, the GF, BC/YC and I think Epcot. There was one I didn't take a picture of because it was another Moana scene and, don't hate me, I'm not the biggest Moana fan.
After that I decided that I most definitely had room for one final F&W dessert before we left Epcot for good for this trip. It was a tough decision but I landed at the Flavors from Fire booth and got the Chocolate Picante-Dark Chocolate Mousse with Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, and Raspberry Dust:

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Hello, sexy! I definitely saved the best for last because O-M-G; this
was like, the most amazing thing I've ever tasted! The chocolate was divine and the cayenne pepper/chili powder gave such a wonderful touch of heat - actually it was more than a touch of heat lol, my lips were a tad tingly when I finished. From the time I read about this dessert I thought chocolate and chili sounded like they'd go together well and boy, do they! It's like chili powder is peanut butter's cousin and they're both in a love triangle with chocolate; I honestly can't say which two make the better couple. I also may be a bit tired at the moment :P

That did it for our 2017 Food and Wine adventures. This was our first time to the festival since 2007 and we barely remember it then since the kids were so small, but no way will we wait another 10 years! And we still had an awesome evening ahead of us before having to leave the next morning.
We went to relax at CSR a bit, freshen up and change for dinner. We were meeting up with the Stone Family 3 for dinner at our favorite signature (this has changed for me, I dare say), Citricos! Because we would have had to take a bus to MK and then the monorail to the GF, Steve decided we were again going to call a Lyft. And call a Lyft we did! Let me make it clear here that STEVE ordered the car from his phone and while doing so asked me where we were going. Apparently he hasn't been to WDW or Citiricos enough to figure that out on his own.............here's where the evening started getting fun! We met our driver, a nice guy from Bangladesh, about 70. Started driving. He and Steve were chatting continuously and I was texting Kari @kastoney to tell her we'd be there soon. I guess either of us could be blamed for not realizing we'd driven off WDW property until the Gaylord Palms was up ahead on our right :laughing: and at the same time we looked at each other like "where the F are we??" Steve nicely asked our driver where we were going and he replied, "to the hotel you programmed in, The Grand Resort and Spa!"

Ah......is there a Citrcos there :scratchin
You can probably guess I was not too happy. We had like, 10 minutes to get to our reservation? I let Kari know we were still in Florida but a little closer to Universal than Disney, didn't yell at my husband, and kept my mouth shut while Steve and our driver worked on getting us BACK on WDW property. This was easier said than done because apparently Mr. Bangladesh doesn't like not using his GPS, and his GPS didn't really want us to go to the GF; at least not right away. Instead of turning around as soon as he knew we were going the wrong way, he continued to the Grand Resort and Spa (?) which looked nice lol but our friends weren't there. Then we eventually started seeing signs for familiar WDW places :worship: and promptly ended up driving through backroads on the outskirts of the HS parking lot.

It was about this time that Ashley @ashw100 texted me asking if we were going to HS at all that night. I texted back that we were at the moment in a messed up Uber ride, or taxi ride, don't think I said Lyft since to me they're all the same, and I would have used a few choice words if I knew her better but I'm still at the point where I'm trying to make her think I'm nice! I was also texting Kari that we'd eventually show up and much to my relief we did:

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I know I posted this picture before but I love it! Even though I look like I have no idea what I'm doing. Kari and Jason are used to having Casey tell them to pose; my boys don't tell me to "strike a pose". And if I told them to do so they would walk out of the room! I may need to borrow a little girl so I can practice my pose for next time :goodvibes

I'll be back soon I PROMISE to share our final night dinner!
 
After that I decided that I most definitely had room for one final F&W dessert before we left Epcot for good for this trip.
I always have room for dessert, no matter what! :rolleyes1 And at F&W, even more so! :laughing:

Kari and Jason are used to having Casey tell them to pose; my boys don't tell me to "strike a pose". And if I told them to do so they would walk out of the room!
All of this just had me laughing out loud :rotfl:

Yikes, sorry to hear about the Lyft debacle, I think you should probably be in charge of transportation coordination permanently... I seem to remember that this was not Steve's only mishap transportation-wise ;)
 
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Wow! Amazing!!

There was one I didn't take a picture of because it was another Moana scene and, don't hate me, I'm not the biggest Moana fan.

Ooooh! Dem's fightin' words! :laughing:

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Hello, sexy! I definitely saved the best for last because O-M-G; this
was like, the most amazing thing I've ever tasted! The chocolate was divine and the cayenne pepper/chili powder gave such a wonderful touch of heat - actually it was more than a touch of heat lol, my lips were a tad tingly when I finished. From the time I read about this dessert I thought chocolate and chili sounded like they'd go together well and boy, do they! It's like chili powder is peanut butter's cousin and they're both in a love triangle with chocolate; I honestly can't say which two make the better couple. I also may be a bit tired at the moment :P

OMG yum! This looks amazing!

here's where the evening started getting fun! We met our driver, a nice guy from Bangladesh, about 70. Started driving. He and Steve were chatting continuously and I was texting Kari @kastoney to tell her we'd be there soon. I guess either of us could be blamed for not realizing we'd driven off WDW property until the Gaylord Palms was up ahead on our right :laughing: and at the same time we looked at each other like "where the F are we??" Steve nicely asked our driver where we were going and he replied, "to the hotel you programmed in, The Grand Resort and Spa!"
Ah......is there a Citrcos there :scratchin
You can probably guess I was not too happy.

Oh. My. Gosh. :scared1:

my boys don't tell me to "strike a pose". And if I told them to do so they would walk out of the room!

:rotfl:
 


Apparently he hasn't been to WDW or Citiricos enough to figure that out on his own.............here's where the evening started getting fun! We met our driver, a nice guy from Bangladesh, about 70. Started driving. He and Steve were chatting continuously and I was texting Kari @kastoney to tell her we'd be there soon. I guess either of us could be blamed for not realizing we'd driven off WDW property until the Gaylord Palms was up ahead on our right :laughing: and at the same time we looked at each other like "where the F are we??" Steve nicely asked our driver where we were going and he replied, "to the hotel you programmed in, The Grand Resort and Spa!"
Ah......is there a Citrcos there :scratchin
You can probably guess I was not too happy. We had like, 10 minutes to get to our reservation? I let Kari know we were still in Florida but a little closer to Universal than Disney, didn't yell at my husband, and kept my mouth shut while Steve and our driver worked on getting us BACK on WDW property. This was easier said than done because apparently Mr. Bangladesh doesn't like not using his GPS, and his GPS didn't really want us to go to the GF; at least not right away. Instead of turning around as soon as he knew we were going the wrong way, he continued to the Grand Resort and Spa (?) which looked nice lol but our friends weren't there.

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:OMG! I would have HAD to bite my tongue too! Makes for a great story though!

I was also texting Kari that we'd eventually show up and much to my relief we did:

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And thank God you did or you wouldn't have been able to take this! I love it!
 


I’m so glad to hear Ricky is doing better.
You guys packed a lot of fun in this trip.
The chocolate carvings are incredible!
So it that dessert yummy.
I’m glad you made it to Citricos in one piece after your unexpected excursion :rotfl:
 
I would have used a few choice words if I knew her better but I'm still at the point where I'm trying to make her think I'm nice!
Ha! :rotfl2:

I was also texting Kari that we'd eventually show up and much to my relief we did:

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I love this pic. It cracks me up.

I may need to borrow a little girl so I can practice my pose for next time :goodvibes
You can borrow Gwen. Kari and I have decided that Gwen and Casey are 2 peas in the same pod.
 
My quotes disappeared :sad:

In my defense regarding food booths, we go back to Epcot another night and eat more stuff!!

I would have reacted badly if the lyft mix up had happened on our trip (either loudly or with deadly silence). No way Matt would order the uber himself though while on Disney property, so kudos to Steve for doing it! Matt is notoriously bad with directions while driving though, so he always leaves that kind of navigating up to me.

That chocolate chili thing looks good! Lindt makes a dark choc chili bar that is one of my faaaavorite things, so I'm super sad I missed this!!
 
Can't believe they're all REALLY made out of chocolate?

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We never got around to seeing these, but wonder if they let the cast members eat them once F&W is done???

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Hello, sexy! I definitely saved the best for last because O-M-G; this
was like, the most amazing thing I've ever tasted! The chocolate was divine and the cayenne pepper/chili powder gave such a wonderful touch of heat - actually it was more than a touch of heat lol, my lips were a tad tingly when I finished. From the time I read about this dessert I thought chocolate and chili sounded like they'd go together well and boy, do they! It's like chili powder is peanut butter's cousin and they're both in a love triangle with chocolate; I honestly can't say which two make the better couple. I also may be a bit tired at the moment :P
Speaking of eating, YUM!!!!! This was on my list to have on our last F&W day too and we ended up skipping every booth and doing lunch elsewhere as it was insanely crowded. Sounds like the line for this would have been worth it.

e met our driver, a nice guy from Bangladesh, about 70. Started driving. He and Steve were chatting continuously and I was texting Kari @kastoney to tell her we'd be there soon. I guess either of us could be blamed for not realizing we'd driven off WDW property until the Gaylord Palms was up ahead on our right :laughing: and at the same time we looked at each other like "where the F are we??" Steve nicely asked our driver where we were going and he replied, "to the hotel you programmed in, The Grand Resort and Spa!"
Still can't believe this happened to you all. But never fear, this was what we were doing
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his was easier said than done because apparently Mr. Bangladesh doesn't like not using his GPS, and his GPS didn't really want us to go to the GF; at least not right away. Instead of turning around as soon as he knew we were going the wrong way, he continued to the Grand Resort and Spa (?) which looked nice lol but our friends weren't there. Then we eventually started seeing signs for familiar WDW places :worship: and promptly ended up driving through backroads on the outskirts of the HS parking lot.
Clearly he knew this was your favorite park and wanted to make sure you saw it one more time

img_7664-jpg.286023


I know I posted this picture before but I love it! Even though I look like I have no idea what I'm doing. Kari and Jason are used to having Casey tell them to pose; my boys don't tell me to "strike a pose". And if I told them to do so they would walk out of the room! I may need to borrow a little girl so I can practice my pose for next time :goodvibes
Welcome to my life :-) Though I think I may fit in better with the boys :P
 
Yikes, sorry to hear about the Lyft debacle, I think you should probably be in charge of transportation coordination permanently... I seem to remember that this was not Steve's only mishap transportation-wise ;)
This was maybe his...........3rd or 4th transportation mess up :rotfl2: He's definitely off of transportation duty from now on!

Ooooh! Dem's fightin' words! :laughing:
:duck: I know, I'm sorry! It's such a loved movie but I can't get into it :( I'll have to try again but even watching Frozen a few times didn't sway me..........

I'm happy you had such a wonderful trip and that we got to meet up!!!! I hope we are able to get together in March!!!!
We will make a point of it! I think we'll be in DS a couple times so maybe that can work :goodvibes

So upset that I never made it to Flavors of Fire. Everything on their menu looked so delicious!
It was so hard trying to fit everything in! I missed a couple desserts I wanted, and some drinks, too! Just another reason for both of us to go back next year!

And thank God you did or you wouldn't have been able to take this! I love it!
lol, having all boys I cannot say no to little girls princess:
 
The chocolate carvings are incredible!
Right? I wasn't sure what to expect. I just can't imagine the time that goes into them!

I’m glad you made it to Citricos in one piece after your unexpected excursion :rotfl:
:laughing: Me too, although it's moments like this that make you laugh afterwards!

I just love your dining reports!
:thanks: I'm glad you're here and enjoying this one :)

You can borrow Gwen. Kari and I have decided that Gwen and Casey are 2 peas in the same pod.
I may have to do that! I'll be happy to act all girly with her when we FINALLY get to meet up here :D

In my defense regarding food booths, we go back to Epcot another night and eat more stuff!!
yay! I really need to get over to your TR and catch up :surfweb:

No way Matt would order the uber himself though while on Disney property, so kudos to Steve for doing it! Matt is notoriously bad with directions while driving though, so he always leaves that kind of navigating up to me.
I'm the one who is extremely bad with directions, even around here and I've lived here over 40 years! Regardless Steve is completely done with any and all transportation responsibilities while in Disney :snooty: It's my way or nothing!

Lindt makes a dark choc chili bar that is one of my faaaavorite things, so I'm super sad I missed this!!
Ah - I did not know about this. However I am now going to be in search of it next time I'm at the mall!

We never got around to seeing these, but wonder if they let the cast members eat them once F&W is done???
Actually what they do with them after they aren't on display anymore is a good question! Wonder if someone is eating Belle? :rolleyes1

Still can't believe this happened to you all. But never fear, this was what we were doing
That's what I needed in the Lyft :drinking1

Clearly he knew this was your favorite park and wanted to make sure you saw it one more time
That was so nice of him, now I hope we get him again some time so I can thank him :laughing:

Just catching up..but WOW! So much food!! And Dismeets! Awesome day :)
It was really cool meeing up with everyone! And I'm pleasantly surprised we got in as many F&W treats as we did. We tried more than we missed :goodvibes

Scandalous! :p
True food porn :rotfl2:

Just read the first instalment, looking forward to reading lots more! xx
:welcome: I'm glad you're here and I hope you enjoy it!
 

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