CRAZY DIS ASIANS! A Sept 2018 TR...COMPLETED 6/1 The last day!!

[phins_jazy]

this sealed the deal for me. we have got to go to Hollywood and Vine when we go for Halloween. The characters have such awesome costumes!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Rob really loves H & V for some reason, but I didn't really become a fan of it until they started doing the seasonal dines! We've done the Christmas one twice, and it really is a nice way to get some cute pics with characters without having to wait in lines to meet them. Plus, I like their costumes

 

[missangelalexis]

Hope you are doing well <3

I love Hollywood & Vine, the costumes are always so cute and the food is decent. You got some adorable character pics!

Looks like a great time at Launch Bay!

Love your sister's Toy Story dress!

 

[kkayluvsdis]

Hi There Su-Lynn,

Just wanted to say so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. I really enjoy your trip reports, but not sure I have ever responded (just a lot of "liking"). Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you taking the time to post your Disney adventures and sharing them with all of us DIS fans. Your family just seems so close and wonderful

So happy you have another WDW visit to look forward to! We'll be there the same time and our dates at POR overlap yours! If I happen to see you I'll make sure to say Happy Birthday!!

-Kelly

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Just caught up on this whole trip report! I had no idea the doors to the accessible rooms closed automatically. Glad they were able to switch rooms for you!

I love that y’all were able to do so many rides on Slinky! That’s my 3 year old’s dream! Just head to Hollywood everyday and play in Toy Story Land!

I love the Halloween costumes on the characters at the seasonal dine!

I am so very sorry about your Dad

 

[Cloe Colton]

The halloween H&V looks so fun! I feel like the Christmas time one has to be so fun and festive too! I love that they do change up the restaurant with the seasons to offer more variety!

 

[thumper*]

I love this picture

 

[dolewhipdreams]

We finally went up to meet Minnie when she had no line.

Oh my goodness Minnie is so cute in her Halloween outfit!

and of course look which naughty character took my ears and put them on Steve

Ah so is Donald!!!

We decided to head to Launch Bay to get a picture with our favorite droid and wookie

I love that Steve is wearing his BB8 shirt!

After Chunkysis did a quick outfit change,

Hahaha of course she did I appreciate her dedication to Disney fashion.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm glad you were able to make a trip work in February!

Thank you so much. I'm so happy I'm going back in Feb!

I was just going to suggest that!!

I'm sure the holidays were very different for you this year without your Dad--still thinking of you and your family!

How exciting that you will be able to spend your birthday at Disney World this year!

Thank you so much Jackie.

I'm so looking forward to my trip!! I really need this!

I just wanted to pop in quickly and say I'm sorry for the loss of your dad - I lost both of my parents almost 8 years ago at the age of 64 (54 days apart) and it's the hardest things..



BUT, I'm a HUGE fan of your TRs and quite envious of your recent DVC purchase!!!

OMG I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine losing both parents, that must have been the hardest thing.

But thank you, I really appreciate the kind words.
And THANK YOU for reading my TRs!! Putting my DVC to good use this year since we really didn't get to use it that much since we bought it!

Love, love, love the pics with Mickey and the gang in their Halloween costumes!!!! I had NOOOOOOOO idea H&V did this!!!! I totally would have booked it for Gia...Maybe I can reserve it in September...

Thank you!! Yes! It's a seasonal dine for lunch and dinner, I kinda want to try all the seasons now! The food changes with the seasons too, but in Sept it would most likely be the same HAlloween theme!

Great score on TSM! The characters are so cute in their Halloween costumes!

We did this in 2016 and really enjoyed it!

Thanks! We've had lots of practice getting the secret things on TSM!
We had a good time at H&V last year so I knew my sister would love it and she did!

Su-Lynn!! What a fun update!! Soooooooooo many characters!

Just mostly popping in to say howdy and Happy New Year.

Hi Liesa!! Happy new year! I'm still getting caught up on everyone's TR...I'm sure I'm stuck on like letter F on your TR...

Sounds like Hollywood and vine was a good meal. I love the holiday costumes.

It was a good meal! Not life changing but a lot of fun!

 

[chunkymonkey]

This is a GORGEOUS picture of you, Su-Lynn!

Aww you are so sweet to think that layers of sweat look good but THANK YOU.

Awww, love Minnie will all her Halloween splendor

I love her Halloween outfit here!

Oooh, I can't wait to find out what!

Haha it's like the most ridiculous thing but I've never been able to get it before.

It will take time. Give it to yourselves.

Thank you pkondz.

No kidding! I could never!

You really don't know me. I can usually put a way 2 buffets a day, no problem. Just not that day.

When I first looked at this photo, I thought "What is so important about those two people that they had to put a big circle around them?"

Oh, it gets worse...

Then I thought "Hey! That circle looks like a Mickey ear on her head!... wait... it is a Mickey head on her head."

Remind me when I meet you that I have to get a picture of you inside the circle of the ears...

Hmmm... I've never been or seen photos of H&V. Years ago, when I was researching, it had a very poor reputation. I'm a little surprised at the décor. I imagined it as more... glamourous. More... Hollywood.

Haha, you must have been imagining the Brown Derby...it's decidedly more cafeteria and not so glamorous. I've heard about it's poor reputation so I was pleasantly surprised when we first went for Star Wars weekends 4 years ago and then again last year. The food is solid, not amazing but not bad. I think Chef Mickeys has the worst food.

Some of you are coordinating nicely with Minnie (cough, cough, not Steve)

Yeah what's up with the SW attire?

My thoughts exactly!

Don't know what they are, but they sure look cute!

Ghost meringues?

Good to know! Maybe that's how I'll do my first visit there (if/when).

I think you'd enjoy it!

And failing adorably.

Aww shucks.

She must bring a bag? I never see it (or haven't noticed.) Or does she store it in a locker?

Wait.... (goes back and re-looks)… here?

Haha yes she does bring a bag, we actually all do but we take them off for pictures.

But you're right they are now renting locker space in Star Tours. It costs 200 galactic credits an hour. Which in Canadian is quite cheap.

I keep hearing of people missing their ride photo for SDD. Hopefully they'll get that sorted out soon.

I have honestly never liked my ride photo on SDD so I'm ok that it is lost.

Cute shot of you guys. You look pretty excited.

I am!!!

Good! Can't wait to see what it is!

It's a....

...secret.

I've been to Hollywood & Vine twice and really enjoyed it both times. Some of the best character interactions we've had have happened there.

Me too! It's a lot of fun! The characters are so cute!

I love how your sister goes to the parks with a new dress to change into to match the characters she will be meeting! That's what I call dedication!

Oh for sure, you wouldn't expect anything less from her, right?

Congrats on your score in TSMM!

Awesome photos as usual!

Thank you!!

Wow, I'm shocked to hear that Hollywood and Vine was good - especially coming from a foodie like you. We did it once years ago for breakfast and had a pretty bad experience so we haven't been brave enough to go back yet. Of course I also have the only child on the planet that doesn't love meeting character as much as ChunkySis.

You know, I was shocked too when I went last year, because I was expecting dismal food. It is definitely not life-changing nor anything memorable but their food was good and plentiful plus they had all the good child favorites like mac n cheese and chicken nuggets, both of which I don't mind indulging in a bit
I don't know about the breakfast but the seasonal dine seems to change the food with the seasons which is nice.

I think Hollywood and vine is a great meal! I’m glad you enjoyed like Chunkysis I’m very into characters so It’s mostly about the characters but the food’s not half bad. I always seam to go for the same theme too... one of these times I’ll hopefully see something different!

Exactly! It really is about the characters all dressed up. It's worth it for me, and the food is actually quite good!
I would really like to do the Christmas one or the Spring one.

 

[pkondz]

You really don't know me. I can usually put a way 2 buffets a day, no problem. Just not that day.

Remind me when I meet you that I have to get a picture of you inside the circle of the ears...

Can I pose like this?

Haha, you must have been imagining the Brown Derby...it's decidedly more cafeteria and not so glamorous. I've heard about it's poor reputation so I was pleasantly surprised when we first went for Star Wars weekends 4 years ago and then again last year. The food is solid, not amazing but not bad. I think Chef Mickeys has the worst food.

Really! I've been, once. A long time ago. Thought it was fine. Huh!

Yeah what's up with the SW attire?

Ghost meringues?

Sure! Let's go with that.

Haha yes she does bring a bag, we actually all do but we take them off for pictures.

Got it!

But you're right they are now renting locker space in Star Tours. It costs 200 galactic credits an hour. Which in Canadian is quite cheap.

Really! I'm so used to comparing it to the US greenback and getting depressed.

I have honestly never liked my ride photo on SDD so I'm ok that it is lost.

So... good, then!

 

[Terra Nova guy]

The H&V meal looks pretty good - especially the desserts! My family has done the Disney Jr breakfast before and found it fine, but I had read some poor reviews on the lunch/dinner meals. Interesting that you enjoyed the meal. I had avoided the Seasonal Dine up to now and we've grown out of Disney Jr so I figured this wouldn't be an option. Maybe I should give it a second chance.

 

[Dumbo777]

Day 2 Part 1: Asian Hi-jinks

It was our 2nd day of vacation! That's like the best day of a trip because you're over the first day excitement and fatigue, you're reared up and ready to go and you still have the rest of the trip to look forward to, hehe. We got up relatively early and were able to walk out of the Beach Club and into Epcot in about 15 minutes. We walked indoors through the meandering hallways and out the exit that was the closest to Epcot. It was awesome to be so close!

Our first stop was Soarin' - my favorite way to rope drop! Test Track and FEA are so slow-loading that the lines get backed up quickly and I am quite impatient first thing in the morning. Soarin' waits in the morning are so minimal that you can be on and off really quickly!

HeLLOOO Patrick!

I believe we got top row in the B section without even asking. On this trip we were of two extremes everytime we rode Soarin' - we were either in the optimal top middle, or else we were in the worst seats at the bottom side. There was no in-between!

Then we went over to Joy and Sadness because my sister HAD to get a picture with them and this was probably the only time the waits would be short enough, and yes there were only about 3 parties ahead of us in line.

Here's CS's outfit of the day complete with matching hair clip:

And here's me and Steve:

Obviously Steve and I were prepared to meet a certain Crazy Dis Asian...actually the ORIGINAL Crazy Dis Asian, LOL.

Here we are sauntering in to meet Joy and Sadness all gangsta-like.

Joy loved CS's dress:

And then they saw our shirts and proceeded to do some Karate Kid style hijinks. It was so cute.

Always a fun duo to meet.

Next up our FP for Spaceship Earth!

It was getting crazy packed in Epcot because of opening weekend of F & W. The line for SE was pretty insane and it was only about 10am.

Steve and what I have now come to know as Space Jesus (Thanks to @pepperandchips!)

OK so, our ride through SE was very different. I couldn't place it at first, but then I realized, the lights were on! It wasn't exceptionally bright or anything, unlike Space Mountain with the lights on, but everything was just illuminated better. We wondered what had happened.

We were also stuck in certain areas of the ride as it wasn't moving, nothing new as it's happened before but it happened like 3 times for long pauses. The TV screens still worked but apparently only my picture registered and not Steves.

When we finally got out of the ride, there were a bunch of official looking people directing us out the exit. We weren't really allow to stay and check out the games and exhibits at the base. It was intruiguing, but I thought that maybe the ride was going down after we were let out, but I didn't realize it was actually something bigger than that:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange/os-spaceship-earth-closed-water-leak-20180902-story.html

After I posted my instagram story about how we rode SE with the lights on, my friend Betsy texted me that article. Crazy! We did not notice the leaks at all but we were actually the last group of people to ride before they closed it for a day. Whew, at least we made it on!

We decided to make the stop at Festival Center so that Steve and I could pick up our AP magnets. I love love love the Chef Mickey theme! I also remembered that it was our 2nd visit to Epcot and on our 4th visit we could get the coveted Mickey cutting board!

While at festival center, I also looked at the wine tasting offerings and realized they had the Skywalker wine that I had wanted to try so badly. So I bought a glass. I can't remember the price but it wasn't super cheap for the amount. It was a good wine and I enjoyed it but not enough to buy the whole bottle which was close to 100 dollars.

My sister took this picture of the both of us before exiting Festival Center:

And to our next FP: Test Track!

We made this crazy little truck, unfortunately not as much power as I would have liked.

Sad reality about TT now is that it always is either down, or the system isn't functioning properly so our car we designed didn't register on all the results screens. What is the point of designing your own car then? Might as well do single rider and be done with it. This time, our ride picture didn't come out so we have someone else's random car picture on our account, LOL.

As a consolation prize, we did use the photobooths in the dump shop. All this is included with Memory Maker, just don't print them out as they will charge you, but if you just scan your band it'll be saved.

Right now the festival booths were open so we headed that way to grab some food. My sister and I both got the Seared Shrimp and Scallop Cakes from Thailand. They are served with a cold noodle salad. My sister really loved this a lot and so did I as it was something I enjoyed last year too, plus it wasn't too heavy unlike all the other Food and Wine booths.

Steve went to Mexico to get his favorite nachos and a margarita. Since we had Ohana tonight, this was all Steve was going to eat that afternoon since he's all about Ohana's shrimp and doesn't want to fill up the rest of the day, haha.

OK so I think they changed the nachos a bit because the cheese sauce is white and not the regular orange-y nacho cheese. Also I think the chips are different. They still tasted great, but somehow I liked their previous version better. Someone please tell me this change isn't for good?

The margarita: It was just a regular one and not the one from La Choza or Le Cava as the lines were getting too long there!

Chunkysis obviously went to go wait for Mexican Donald...but she waited a good 20 mins before he came out.

When we passed Norway I had to show Steve the Stave Church which has a display on Norse Gods. Steve's a huge fan of Thor so we had to check it out.

This is me playing Gamora in Avenger's Infinity War:

"It's like his muscles are made of Cotani metal fibers..."

We were approaching 12:30pm and Mulan comes out at 1pm so we walked towards China. I went to the China booth to try something:

Xi’an Pancake with Beef

The pancake is pretty much a scallion pancake and the filling is a spicy sauteed beef. I liked the pancake a lot, and thought the beef was decent but not great. it was flavorfull but I would prefer less sauce as then it'll be easier to pick up and eat. This was so hard to eat especially when standing as you can't really cut the pancake and if you could just roll it up and eat it would have been so much better.

I also got a Jasmine Draft Beer which is one of the recommend pairings with the pancake. I thought this beer was great! So light and refreshing and paired very well with the pancake.

By now we were waiting inside the China temple. There wasn't any line but we asked a CM where Mulan would be meeting. She said she didn't quite know just yet whether it be indoors or outdoors. There was no line in either places and since it was so hot I opted to wait inside until further notice. Then the skies opened up and it started to pour!! So thank goodness we were inside! I pretty much knew then that Mulan was going to meet inside, so we stood in line near the spot she usually meets and people just started lining up behind us. Pretty soon there was a substantial line behind us because her meet got delayed.

The roof of the temple is just gorgeous. The things you notice while waiting!

Here's a little vlog I recorded while waiting on line because...bored. LOL.

Finally about 20 minutes after her scheduled time, Mulan finally appeared.
Behold the original Crazy DIS Asian!

Last time we met Mulan I asked her for matchmaker's help in finding my sis a boyfriend. Looks like it's sorta worked out as my sister is seeing someone at the moment. Not sure if it's that serious yet but we were joking throughout the trip that we should pay a visit to the wedding chapel at the GF just to "check things out" LOL. Hopefully there will be wedding bells soon because I want to go to a Disney wedding!
Anyways...thanks Mulan!


Coming up...the worst thing I ate during Food & Wine...​

Love this bit about Mulan. She is hilarious. When we saw her, she left my 11 yr old speechless and he usually never quites down. He was showing her his pins and she said, "Did you get those for saving your country too?" He was speechless. It was hilarious.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Your post has made me want to try H&V at Halloween sometime. You guys should do Hollywood & Vine for Christmas next. The characters' outfits are beautiful. You meet Santa Goofy for the photopass pic, and the other characters rotate among the tables. We went this past Dec. The food was surprisingly good, and our server - Jayne - was wonderful. The only con about the experience was a rather long wait for a table, but once we got the table, no complaints. I did not see the Kraken pasta but hope to try it sometime. Sounds delish! Love all of the photos you posted, especially the one with BB8 looking at Steve's shirt!

I really want to do christmas now! I'd love to meet them so that I'm not in line so long at the christmas parties.
I did find the food quite good too and the service was nice. When we went we had low waits for our table so that was a good thing.

Thank you!

this sealed the deal for me. we have got to go to Hollywood and Vine when we go for Halloween. The characters have such awesome costumes!

They really do!! Plus it saves you from waiting on lines at MNSSHP!

Rob really loves H & V for some reason, but I didn't really become a fan of it until they started doing the seasonal dines! We've done the Christmas one twice, and it really is a nice way to get some cute pics with characters without having to wait in lines to meet them. Plus, I like their costumes

The seasonal dines are the best! I definitely want to do Christmas!

Hope you are doing well <3

I love Hollywood & Vine, the costumes are always so cute and the food is decent. You got some adorable character pics!

Looks like a great time at Launch Bay!

Love your sister's Toy Story dress!

Thank you so much. We are doing well, thank you!
H&V is a good staple for character meals. I think it has definitely grown on me.

She has an outfit for everything!

Hi There Su-Lynn,

Just wanted to say so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. I really enjoy your trip reports, but not sure I have ever responded (just a lot of "liking"). Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you taking the time to post your Disney adventures and sharing them with all of us DIS fans. Your family just seems so close and wonderful

So happy you have another WDW visit to look forward to! We'll be there the same time and our dates at POR overlap yours! If I happen to see you I'll make sure to say Happy Birthday!!

-Kelly

Hi Kelly, thank you so much for taking the time to write, you are so sweet. I love my DISboard family!
Yes! If you will be at POR we should definitely meet up! It would be so fun! Just PM me. We arrive the morning of the 23rd and are there until the 26th before moving to AKL.
Even if we don't meet at POR we can meet up at a park!

Just caught up on this whole trip report! I had no idea the doors to the accessible rooms closed automatically. Glad they were able to switch rooms for you!

Yeah, it was such a pain! I'm happy they were able to change us over.

I love that y’all were able to do so many rides on Slinky! That’s my 3 year old’s dream! Just head to Hollywood everyday and play in Toy Story Land!

OMG that is Steve's dream. He loves Toy Story Land. It now has his 2 favorite rides, SDD and TSM. We went to the passholder playtime and rode SDD like 6 times. It was the most productive hour I've ever had at Disney!

I love the Halloween costumes on the characters at the seasonal dine!

They are super cute!!

I am so very sorry about your Dad

Thank you so much.

The halloween H&V looks so fun! I feel like the Christmas time one has to be so fun and festive too! I love that they do change up the restaurant with the seasons to offer more variety!

Yes! I really want to do the Christmas one. I think it'll be fun. They do change up the food too so I'm sure Christmas will have it's own set of dishes.

I love this picture

It was so funny when Donald did that!! I love the interaction.

Oh my goodness Minnie is so cute in her Halloween outfit!

It is a really cute outfit!!

Ah so is Donald!!!

His was the best, I love his Alien look.

I love that Steve is wearing his BB8 shirt!

It only seemed fitting

Hahaha of course she did I appreciate her dedication to Disney fashion.

She is definitely dedicated, that one...

 

[MeghanEmily]

I had initially also planned a dinner at Cape May Cafe but we quickly decided after arriving in Florida that 2 buffets in one day was too much especially with the heat so we cancelled Cape May in favor of hitting up the Food and Wine booths for a light dinner.

As much as I enjoy dinner at Cape May, this was probably a very good idea!

I love these ears! Wherever did they come from? You look fab. Cool shades! You look like a movie star, which is totally appropriate for DHS!

It was still 90 degrees out and I don't necessarily want to eat butternut squash casserole...and all the "fall" flavors when in my mind it was still...summer and all I wanted was watermelon!

Ugghh, I'd feel the same way! I need lighter summery type foods in this kind of heat. It was weird enough to celebrate Halloween when it was 95 degrees out on our trip.

I did eat my favorite which is the black ink pasta - it is called something like The Kraken pasta and I've had it before and it was just as garlicky and good as I remembered.

This is so cool!

 

[dnllmz]

I was really behind but just read your H&V review. I’m putting it on our AdR list for end of August thanks to your review & all the cute characters in their costumes.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Can I pose like this?

I was hoping you would!

Really! I'm so used to comparing it to the US greenback and getting depressed.

The galactic credit has devalued since they killed off skywalker...

So... good, then!

Yes, a good thing.

The H&V meal looks pretty good - especially the desserts! My family has done the Disney Jr breakfast before and found it fine, but I had read some poor reviews on the lunch/dinner meals. Interesting that you enjoyed the meal. I had avoided the Seasonal Dine up to now and we've grown out of Disney Jr so I figured this wouldn't be an option. Maybe I should give it a second chance.

I think you should, you may be surprised. The character interaction is really fun, and it's not a hard meal to book (I can usually find plenty of availability even way beyond the 180 day mark). The food changes with the seasons so maybe one season has better food than another? I usually find the kids buffet to always be a safe and reliable option, haha!

Love this bit about Mulan. She is hilarious. When we saw her, she left my 11 yr old speechless and he usually never quites down. He was showing her his pins and she said, "Did you get those for saving your country too?" He was speechless. It was hilarious.

Haha how cute! I really do love her, she's so witty and funny!!

 

[suse66]

They are indeed like second mothers, and it's so hard to know that one day I will lose them too. I hope you are ok. Hugs to you too.

Thank you so much...it was the one month anniversary of her death yesterday. It is so weird because you keep wanting to call or look forward to something you always did together. Then you remember how different things are now. I am coping and trying my best to live the way she would want me to. How are you doing?

Finally I returned to the table to reclaim my ears and pose for a picture:

This is a great picture!

We decided to head to Launch Bay to get a picture with our favorite droid and wookie. The crowds that day were surprisingly light so there wasn't much of a wait at all even in midday.

Love the outfit coordination!

After Chunkysis did a quick outfit change, it was back in Toy Story Land for our SDD FP!

How did she keep her Toy Story outfit looking so fresh? It's as though she was carrying a full size garment bag!

Stay tuned for our Epcot evening, we explore the Beach Club DVC area, and I finally get something that I've wanted for years!!​

Now I am curious......

 

[pkondz]

I was hoping you would!

You know I would. I've done some fairly interesting photos already at WDW.

The galactic credit has devalued since they killed off skywalker...

Odd. You'd think, him being a rebel and all, that it would increase.

 

[Steppesister]

Hi Liesa!! Happy new year! I'm still getting caught up on everyone's TR...I'm sure I'm stuck on like letter F on your TR...

LOL!! If you're on Letter F, you have a long ways to go. But, I've tried very hard to keep them short, so they can be easily read in 5-10 minutes. I know you'll make it back when life settles down a bit.