Post by rwethereyet on Jul 23, 2023 20:07:12 GMT -5
Sunday--Today, I got an early start, for me that is, and took the Skyliner to EPCOT. I wanted a quiche from Las Halles, and when I got in the door about 9:45, there was no line at all. I barely had time to figure out if I wanted anything else before I had to place my order. Quiche was delicious and I actually got a table there in Las Halles, which almost never happens. Then I headed to Japan and enjoyed the fountains and grounds up behind the Kai Gori stand--no one there as the quick service restaurant up there was not open yet. As I came down the path, they were just opening Mitsukoshi--love that place. Found some Pokemon stuff for the Grandson and some Japanese candies that my son loves. I always enjoy that store and it was really nice to be some of the first in the door and to be able to explore without it being too crowded.
Then I rolled down to American Adventure and Voices of Liberty was getting ready to start, so I enjoyed the show. I also saw for the first time ever that huge cooker that they have put up in front of the Regal Eagle. That thing is very impressive. It was smoking and the smell was amazing, but I don't know if the smell was from that cooker or the actual restaurant. I love Voices of Liberty, but really enjoyed their colonial dress more than the modern dress they wear now. After Voices, I was going to head over to Italy, but the thunder and lightening and rain started, so I went back in and enjoyed another set with Voices of Liberty--entirely different songs, so I enjoyed it very much.
My friend was picking me up at the Riviera at 3:00, so I had been keeping my eye on the time, planning to get back to the resort around 1:00 to quickly shower and change clothes before she got there. I saw the Skyliner was moving and headed over to International Gateway to catch it. When I got there, I found that even though the gondolas were running, they were not boarding anyone.
They told me I could wait up on the platform and they were letting walking guests up there as well. While I was sitting and waiting in the handicap line, I noticed that occasionally they would take a big group of the walking people down the exit ramp. Turns out they were bringing a bus up the back of the Skyliner and taking them to their resorts. No one had shared that with me, so I waited and waited. Finally, I went down the ramp and asked the CM and they shared that the Skyliner might start up any minute so best for me to go back up the ramp. At this point it is after 2:00 and I am getting nervous about meeting my friend --and my phone had died due to too many videos of Voices of Liberty!!! Skyliner finally started up and I got back to my room at 2:30, just long enough for me to change clothes and try to fix my hat head.
Friend picked me up and off to the Outlets we went. First stop, Vera Bradley--found some Christmas presents and their deal was 50% off and then another 30% off--can't beat that. Next we were going to the Character Warehouse. Big shock for us, there was a line with a couple of switchbacks and then it wrapped back down the front of the store. The last few times I had been there, the line to get in was gone, so I was shocked. It was not worth waiting outside in the sun in this heat, so we left.
Time for dinner, and I had heard about Portillo's and wanted to try it. Really cute place. Loved their hot dogs, but would also love to try their roast beef sandwich another time. My friend and I sat and visited until I am sure they were ready to start charging us rent on the booth. That is some huge kitchen they have there--very impressive. I will definitely go back for that roast beef sandwich. We have nothing like Portillo's back home.
My friend dropped me back at the Riviera, and I was delighted to find that I finally got my full cleaning. Yay to clean sheets. If I ever won the lottery, I would hire someone to change my sheets every day--that would be true luxury to me.
EPCOTs fireworks have just started, and I am going to call it a night.
I have no idea what tomorrow brings. No alarm set and park reservations can be had the morning of, so no need to worry about planning ahead as far as I am concerned.
Then I rolled down to American Adventure and Voices of Liberty was getting ready to start, so I enjoyed the show. I also saw for the first time ever that huge cooker that they have put up in front of the Regal Eagle. That thing is very impressive. It was smoking and the smell was amazing, but I don't know if the smell was from that cooker or the actual restaurant. I love Voices of Liberty, but really enjoyed their colonial dress more than the modern dress they wear now. After Voices, I was going to head over to Italy, but the thunder and lightening and rain started, so I went back in and enjoyed another set with Voices of Liberty--entirely different songs, so I enjoyed it very much.
My friend was picking me up at the Riviera at 3:00, so I had been keeping my eye on the time, planning to get back to the resort around 1:00 to quickly shower and change clothes before she got there. I saw the Skyliner was moving and headed over to International Gateway to catch it. When I got there, I found that even though the gondolas were running, they were not boarding anyone.
They told me I could wait up on the platform and they were letting walking guests up there as well. While I was sitting and waiting in the handicap line, I noticed that occasionally they would take a big group of the walking people down the exit ramp. Turns out they were bringing a bus up the back of the Skyliner and taking them to their resorts. No one had shared that with me, so I waited and waited. Finally, I went down the ramp and asked the CM and they shared that the Skyliner might start up any minute so best for me to go back up the ramp. At this point it is after 2:00 and I am getting nervous about meeting my friend --and my phone had died due to too many videos of Voices of Liberty!!! Skyliner finally started up and I got back to my room at 2:30, just long enough for me to change clothes and try to fix my hat head. Friend picked me up and off to the Outlets we went. First stop, Vera Bradley--found some Christmas presents and their deal was 50% off and then another 30% off--can't beat that. Next we were going to the Character Warehouse. Big shock for us, there was a line with a couple of switchbacks and then it wrapped back down the front of the store. The last few times I had been there, the line to get in was gone, so I was shocked. It was not worth waiting outside in the sun in this heat, so we left.
Time for dinner, and I had heard about Portillo's and wanted to try it. Really cute place. Loved their hot dogs, but would also love to try their roast beef sandwich another time. My friend and I sat and visited until I am sure they were ready to start charging us rent on the booth. That is some huge kitchen they have there--very impressive. I will definitely go back for that roast beef sandwich. We have nothing like Portillo's back home.
My friend dropped me back at the Riviera, and I was delighted to find that I finally got my full cleaning. Yay to clean sheets. If I ever won the lottery, I would hire someone to change my sheets every day--that would be true luxury to me.
EPCOTs fireworks have just started, and I am going to call it a night.
I have no idea what tomorrow brings. No alarm set and park reservations can be had the morning of, so no need to worry about planning ahead as far as I am concerned.
It's part of my therapy to not buy Disney stuff I like, but don't need.
- great discount on Vera Bradley!!!!
