Our first stop was Muppet Vision 3-D which the kids really enjoyed. They commented on how this 3-D movie wasn't as "scary" as some of the other 3-D movies they had seen as there aren't a lot of images that seem to come out at you quickly. There was a rather long wait before the actual show where we stood in the lobby and watched the "pre-show" on the video monitors. After the show, we made our way to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play area where the adults sat for a while and the kids ran, slid, and climbed to their hearts content.
We then went on the Backlot Tour but afterwards, decided to skip the Backlot Express for lunch because the band was a little loud. We walked over to the ABC Commissary which was moderately busy. We were using the dining plan again today and each ordered from the menu as we had plenty of counter service credits. I tried the Tabouleh Wrap which I really liked and had all to myself because nobody else cared for it. I also got to try my mother's curried chicken and rice which was also quite good and spicy. For dessert we shared the strawberry parfaits and chocolate mousse.
My BIL called during lunch to let us know that he was on his way with the twins' stroller. We wanted to make the next showing of the Lights, Motors, Action show that none of us had ever gotten to see before so when BIL finally arrived, we went to the stadium to save him a seat while he grabbed a bite to eat at the Commissary. The show was very impressive and the stadium was completely packed. The host/director pointed out that the drivers went through a new set of tires every few weeks and after watching the show, I can see why. The tires were squealing a lot and oftentimes produced copious amounts of smoke. The precision driving was very very impressive but seemed just slightly less so when we found out that one of the cars had been "switched" during the show to the car with the driver that was facing backwards. No wonder that car was able to go backwards so accurately - squealing around corners and backing into tight spots between 2 other cars.
My BIL ended up missing the entire show because he had dropped his food tray at the Commissary and spent quite some time cleaning the food off of his pants. He met us as we exited the show.
After a brief potty stop, Seth and MIL/FIL decided to go back to the resort to rest. BIL wanted to take the twins on Star Tours but, knowing that neither of my kids were interested, we opted to separate and go on the Great Movie ride. We met up with BIL, the twins, and my mom again afterwards and stopped to get ice cream and popcorn using up some of our snack credits because the line for the Voyage of the Little Mermaid was quite long. My mother bought several bags of nuts with her snack credits to take home with her. At this point, we separated again while I took the kids pin shopping and BIL took the twins on the Tower of Terror. DS wanted to see the Power Rangers at 3:45 pm who would be signing autographs and posing just outside of the Lights, Motors, Action stadium. We arrived a little early and there was a single line starting to form by the Power Rangers sign. Soon, a CM made an announcement that the different colored Power Rangers (pink, red, green, blue, and white) would be positioned in different areas of the street and pointed out where each colored Ranger would be. We were caught by surprise and I didn't honestly know which ranger DS wanted to see first. He picked the red ranger and by the time we located that corner, the line had already gotten quite long. Apparently, the red and pink rangers were the most "popular". We sent DD over to wait in the line for the blue ranger but that line was pretty short and moved quickly. After collecting all of the Power Rangers' autographs (except the Pink Power Ranger) and snapping pictures while the Rangers did their "moves" (DS refused to show me his "moves", lol), we decided to call it a day and head back to the resort.
As we were leaving for the bus stop, DS pointed out a hidden Mickey which the kids are getting really quite good at finding:
Note to self: I need to get a copy of Barrett's book so that we can look for more Hidden Mickey's on our next trip.
We met up with BIL and caught the bus back to Saratoga Springs. BIL said that one twin did not enjoy the Tower of Terror while the other one loved it. He sat in the middle between the two of them and on one arm, one of the girls was crying while on the other arm, the other girl was laughing and screaming. I could just picture it in my head. After they rode the Tower, he left the one twin with my mom and took the other to ride Tower of Terror a second time.
Today was DH's and my 14th wedding anniversary so we had made reservations at our all-time favorite restaurant at Disney: Victoria and Albert's. This was to be the 4th time we were eating at this restaurant and we invited my sister and BIL to join us while the kids would eat-in with the grandparents whom we had supplied with spaghetti and garlic bread.
We got back to the resort and cleaned up putting on nicer outfits for our "adults only" evening. Our reservation was for 6:30 pm but we didn't head out to the bus stop until about 6 pm. We waited and waited for the bus and finally opted to hop on the EPCOT bus to take the monorail to the Grand Floridian resort but the bus driver suggested that we transfer to the bus behind him - the Magic Kingdom bus. Getting my sister's scooter proved again to be a major undertaking and when it was almost 6:30 and we had not yet even reached MK, I called the restaurant to let them know that we were running quite late. When we got to MK, we had to hustle over to the Monorail station which was extremely crowded as people who weren't staying for MVMCP were leaving the park. In the confusion, it was very very difficult to tell where, exactly, my sister was supposed to board on her scooter. DH and I ended up taking the monorail to the Grand Floridian while sister and BIL waited for the next monorail. Apparently, you have to let the CM know that you need assistance getting onto the monorail so that they can pull out the ramp and attach it to the side of the monorail. We had no idea since this was the first time we were riding the monorail with my sister.
DH and I got to the resort and while DH went to let them know that we had arrived, I waited for the next monorail for my sister and BIL to arrive. It was past 7 pm. Fortunately, the CM's at the restaurant were beyond pleasant and went out of their way to assure us that it was time for us to relax and to let them take care of everything. This is one of the reasons why we just love this restaurant so much and, despite the price, keep returning with every trip. Our "Victoria" showed us to our table in the fireplace room. It was wonderfully cozy and, unlike other parts of the restaurant, was quite well lit.
As we sank into our chairs and breathed a sigh of relief, we were given our personalized menus which were folded into an almost leather-feeling black envelope. Our menus, of course, had our names, the date, and said "Happy 14th Anniversary". "Victoria" gave us a run-down of how to order and was surprised to find out that DH and I had already dined here 3 times before. We fully intended to do the wine pairing this evening as did BIL. The menu is Prixe Fixe for $115, the wine pairing was $60 per person. There were 6 courses and under each course, there were 3 or 4 choices. I marveled at the number of delicious-sounding choices and DH and I played our "I-know-what-you're-going-to-order" game. After 14 years of marriage, we were quite good at it. For the Amuse Bouche, we were given a small shrimp dumpling.
Here's what I ate this evening:
Long Island Duck with Tuscan Melon, Grains of Paradise and Minus Eight Vinegar paired with Von Buhl Maria Schneider "Jazz" Riesling, Pfalz 2004.
Pan Roasted Foie Gras and Fuji Apple Tart with Mostarda de Cremona (extra $15.00 charge) paired with Royal Tokaji Azsu 5 Puttonyos, Mad Toakj-Hegyalja 2000. I'm a HUGE fan of Foie Gras - possibly one of the richest and most favorite foods on the planet for me. If it's on the menu, I'm eating it. LOL.
Seared Wild Turbot with Toasted Capers and Meyer Lemon (extra $20 charge) paired with Fess Parker Viognier, Santa Barbara 2002. I had to ask Victoria what a "Turbot" was. Apparently, it's a very large white fish from Europe that was recently caught and Disney purchased a large part of it and added it to the menu. This white fish was the most delicious fish that I have ever had.
Australian "Kobe" Beef Tenderloin with Lobster and Artichoke Risotto (extra $30 charge) paired with Chateau Cantemerle, Haut Medoc 2003. This beef was so incredibly tender and flavorful. I love fine food and know what my likes and dislikes are but I'm no food critic and I'm sure my words are not doing these foods justice.
Comte Saint Antoine, Gorgonzola Dolce, and Pierre Robert cheese plate paired with Cockburn's 10 year old Tawny Porto
Dessert was the Hawaiian Kona Chocolate Souffle which is unusual for me but the combination of chocolate and Kona intrigued me. This was, of course, delicious and rich.
After dinner, Albert brought the famous glass coffee pot which looks like an fat hour-glass. The water is heated in the lower chamber by an open flame and when the water boils, it rises through the glass tube into the top chamber which is filled with coffee grounds. As the coffee percolates and the water leaves the lower chamber, the flame is extinguished and the coffee returns to the bottom chamber which has a handle on it. The upper chamber is removed and set aside as the coffee is poured. The coffee is even better than the entertainment value. Of course, DH, BIL and I have all had quite a bit of wine by this point and I honestly don't remember the pot percolating. LOL. Victoria graciously offers to take a few pictures for us and the ladies are presented with a long-stem rose.
What a beautiful, wonderful, and relaxed evening. We stop by to look at the famous Gingerbread House in the lobby and then head back to Saratoga Springs for the evening.
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