Originally Posted By FerretAfros So here is the much awaited Drinking Around the World trip report. I’m still working on the trip report for the other days (since there are so many days, I might just do it by park instead of daily, but I haven’t really decided yet). The morning started with us getting to the park shortly after the rope drop. We headed over to Test Track first thing, and we didn’t have to wait at all (they just sent us straight through to the loading area past the preshow). After that, we went and did Mission: Space before the line got terribly long. Most of us did the orange side, but one did green, and we all finished at about the same time. Nothing terribly notable happened at either of these. After we finished that, we headed over to Innoventions, where we did the IBM video game that uses your motions for your character. After that, we did the Velcro show, and four of us were picked to do the game where you stick stuffed animals in bags that stick to a giant fuzzy poncho. My team won, so that was kind of exciting. We thought the show was really fun, and slightly educational too. They had us exit through the entrance, since the grand opening of the Great Piggy Bank Adventure was going on next door at the same time. We then headed to Soarin’ to use my ‘golden ticket’ that I got for knowing all the answers to the trivia questions on the bus ride home from the Magic Kingdom the day before. We were planning on completely skipping it since it’s the same as the one in California (and everybody in our group had either done it at DCA or in Epcot two days prior), so it was nice to get out of the wait and get to do the attraction again. From there, we headed over to the Seas and did the Nemo ride, which was nice, but nothing terribly spectacular. The ending with the characters swimming in the real tank was really cool as, as was the angler fish, and I think they help make up for the ride length and vehicle differences that give DL’s version the advantage. We then went back and did Spaceship Earth (we had passed it since we didn’t want a long line to build up at Test Track). My brother accidentally hit French for the language on his way in the car, and I thought it would be fun to answer the questions at the end in German, so I pushed that. What we didn’t realize was that the entire narration was in the language as well, so out of our 6 people, 4 of us had no idea what they were telling us. It was kind of fun to make up a description of what was going on, but it was also kind of annoying, since we were looking forward to the attraction. At that point, it was getting close to noon, so we decided we should start our trip around the world. Our first stop was in Mexico for the margaritas. I had heard that they were pretty gross, but I had no idea what I was in for. I got a strawberry one, which we decided was the worst of the bunch. It kind of tasted like the way my shoes did after they had gotten wet. We took our time strolling around the market area of the pavilion and trying to finish our drinks. Close to an hour later, we were pretty much done (I just couldn’t get the last bit of mine, since it was just that bad), so we did the Gran Fiesta Tour. I think I prefer El Rio, but they are different enough that they can’t really be compared too much. Aside from the characters vs educational issue, I really didn’t like that they took out the people trying to sell you stuff (since it was a really neat effect as they followed the boat, plus it always made me laugh), but I’ll call it a draw since they also got rid of the creepy marionette carousel. So then we put our ponchos back on, and headed back outside, and off to Norway. One person was a big fan of lefse (basically a sweet Norwegian tortilla with cinnamon), so we all got some from the backery, along with Carlsbergs. I really wasn’t a fan of it (or really any of the beer we had), but apparently it’s pretty good. All day I had been drinking lots of water to make sure that I was able to get going the next day, so Norway has the distinction of 3 separate trips to the bathroom. We did Maelstrom, and was okay. The drops weren’t as big or as steep as I remembered, and it didn’t make as much sense (or any sense for that matter) as I remembered, but it was still fun. We skipped the movie to make sure we had enough time to finish our trip around the world. While we were in the store, the rest of the group thought it would be a good idea to buy a Viking hat for me to wear for the rest of the day, and I just wasn’t quite able to say no. By the time we were heading over to China, the rain had let up a little, so we got to take off our ponchos for a while. We had plum wine at the counter service place, and that was probably one of my favorite drinks of the day. It was pretty sweet, but there was definitely a kick to it. We saw Reflections of China, and I was definitely starting to feel the drinks a bit. It is definitely a much better movie that the new Canada movie, and it did a great job showing off the wide range of landscapes and scenery in the country. By the time we left it had started to rain again, so the ponchos came back. After that, it was decreed by the rest of the group that the African Outpost was actually a country (even though I have never seen it considered one of the real players, but they wouldn’t listen to me), so we had to make another quick potty trip. I started to catch on that not all countries had bathrooms, so a couple of us ran ahead to Germany to use the facilities (since there weren’t any in China or Africa and we had already used Norway’s several times), before meeting back up with the others at the Outpost. We had the Safari Amber, which is specially brewed for WDW (we also saw it in DAK the next day). It was probably my favorite of the beers that we had, but I’m still not so sure about beer in general. We took our time in the Outpost, since it was raining pretty hard, and the drums were pretty fun to play with. : ) We then skipped ahead to Italy, since we had dinner reservations in Germany for a little bit later (though we did take a quick bathroom and pretzel break in Germany along the way). We had the Rosa Regale, which was another of the winners. We finished those off pretty quickly, and headed over to the American Adventure, where we were able to see the Voices of Liberty (amazing, as usual) before the show. We then went back to Germany for dinner in the Bier Garden. We had timed our reservations so that we would have time to get seated and get our first round of food just as the show was starting. It was great to get to hear the music, and to finally get some food. We had eaten breakfast at the hotel with random snacks that we had brought along, and I had a couple crackers about an hour before we got to Mexico. Other than our small snack in Norway, that was all I had eaten (and I think I had more than anybody else for breakfast). It was great to get some really good, and really filling food in our stomachs. I had taken German in high school, so I was able to say a couple things to the waitress, but I wasn’t exactly in the state to be saying too much (especially considering that I hadn’t used any of it in years). I had the hefe wizen with my dinner, and it reminded me of the Carlsberg (not so good). My brother was trying to convince me to get the bigger one, but I’m definitely glad I got the smaller one, since I had plenty by the end of the night. Since I was wearing a birthday button (we were there to celebrate it, so close enough, right?), they gave me a nice birthday card signed by all of the restaurant’s CM’s and a gingerbread man. We snuck a couple pretzel rolls for snacks later, since we knew we were going to have to pick up the pace a little. We ended up spending over an hour in Germany, and it was almost dark (and raining really hard) by the time we left, so we needed to get moving. We skipped over Italy since we had already done it earlier in the day, and went straight to America, where we had the Samuel Adams Seasonal. Not my favorite, but still better than the Carlsberg (or maybe I just couldn’t taste as much…that’s probably it!). When we got to the little stand, it was starting to rain exceptionally hard, so we did our best to hide under the little overhang, and then run into the restaurant with our drinks (where we found out that they also sold them inside). We had a nice time chatting in there before moving on to Japan. In Japan, a couple people decided to get the oysters that they open with a pearl inside. After seeing that theirs were actually fairly big, they both got them set into necklaces. We had sake from the counter service place, and it was definitely not a winner. Probably my least favorite drink of the day (though a glass that size for $5 might have been the best deal of any of the drinks), and was the first one that I split with someone, since we were really running short on time. We spent over an hour in Japan, most of it in the store with the pearls, so we were in a hurry by the time we got the drinks. We tried to finish quickly, but it definitely took a while to get them down because it was just so gross. We then headed out to Morocco. I believe this may have very well been the shortest stop of the trip. We went directly into the quick service restaurant, and got our sangria, which was one of my favorites. I think we finished it off very quickly (honestly, I barely remember Morocco or France), and headed out to the next stop. At France we stopped at the stand on the lagoon side, and I had recommended the Grand Marnier slush, per your recommendations. Unfortunately, the folks ordering the drinks decided to ask the cute guy at the counter what we should have, and we ended up with pomegranate wine, which was still one of the better ones. My brother got the slush, and I really liked it, from the quick sip I had. It tasted like a creamsicle, which can’t be that bad, right? In the UK, we went to the pub and had Boddingtons. I can’t say that I remember what exactly it tasted like, but I think I liked it more than the beer from Germany, but less than the one from the Outpost. The pub was pretty crowded, but we were able to find a little corner to stand in near the bar to finish our drinks, since it was still a little wet outside. It was around this time that things definitely started becoming a little more fun. I think this was when it was decreed that my Viking hat should be turned into the rhino hat, and they took one of my horns and turned it sideways. There are a couple fun pictures around (not on my camera) of us in the photo spot in Canada and in one of the phone booths. We went to see O, Canada, and this was definitely my favorite of the three times we saw it over the course of the trip, because I wasn’t paying attention, and I don’t remember it very well. It’s just not that good of a movie. When we were finished with that, Illuminations was about to begin, so we needed to find the Canada drinks quickly before everything closed. After searching through the Canada pavilion, we couldn’t find a place to get drinks, other than Le Cellier, and they didn’t have any available tables, and we didn’t really want to sit down anyway, nor would they sell us ‘to go’ drinks. So if anybody out there knows of a place to get a drink in Canada without making a reservation, we’d love to know, since we couldn’t find it later in the week either (unless it was on the other side of the gardens from the rest of the pavilion). Instead, we ended up getting a second drink from the UK, which was a Strong Bow. We got them just in time to watch all of Illuminations. Apparently I finished most of the one I was sharing, but I think I only had a little more than half. Honestly, I really don’t remember much of Illuminations from this viewing. I could have sworn that the entire show was only about 6 or 7 minutes, but it wasn’t. About halfway through, I started feeling really sick, so I sent someone to go fill up my water bottle. By the time she came back, I felt completely fine again, and we had avoided a disaster in the bushes outside Canada. : ) On the way out of the park, we decided that it would be more fun to walk with our arms on each other’s shoulders (in typical drunk position). I was still able to walk on my own, but just decided that it would be more fun to let other people walk next to me…just in case. Somewhere along the way, I decided it would be fun to sing Lean On Me, and I did that until we got to the bus stop. Of course, through all of this, it was still drizzling, so we were in wet ponchos, and I still had the rhino hat, so I’m sure we were quite the sight to see. While we were waiting in line for the bus, I took a couple of pictures, and in one, it’s very clear that the fellow behind us had figured out what we had been up to all day. On the bus, we ended up having to stand, which I’m sure wasn’t the best for the people around us, but it actually wasn’t as disastrous as I was expecting. When we got back to the hotel, some people wanted to go to the pool, but I decided it would be best for me to stay back and get to bed. I sat at the table waiting for the shower to become free and made faces at myself for a while, which was definitely a little amusing. My friend who was in the shower was singing When Johnny Comes Marching Home (which the Voices of Liberty had sung earlier), think that it wasn’t loud enough to hear, but it was pretty clear. I found out later that the people who went to the pool decided it was too cold, so they moved into our other room and made a “hot tub” by turning the shower on really hot and all getting in with their swimsuits on…sounds like I really missed out…or not. The next morning, I woke up a little early and didn’t feel tip top. Around 6:45 I ended up yaking, but thanks to my planning the day before, it was pretty much all water. We went to DAK, and were on one of the first safari trucks of the morning. I didn’t end up feeling normal again until after we sat down for a long time to watch Finding Nemo, but it was never too bad, so I guess you could say that we all lived happily ever after. The end! If anybody is interested, I have pictures up on Facebook. You will need to be my friend to see them, so you might need to add me (I’m in the LP group, with my name in the “what’s your name” thread), so let me know what your LP name is, and I’ll befriend you. There are also a ton of pictures that other people took of the day that you can get to from the link to pictures of me. I’m planning on putting up trip reports from the rest of the trip soon, but not nearly as detailed as this one. Hopefully I’ll get those up by this weekend (and for those of you who are still reading, this is about 4 pages single spaced in a Word document).
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb LOL Sounds like if I want to try that drinking around the world thing I'd better bring friends. Seems to me Disney is missing out on an opportunity. They should sell a "Drinks of the World" small mug or glass (only a few ounces) that you take to each country and you get it filled for say $3. That way they save on waste and dirty glasses and get to sell more drinks. Not everyone would be able to quaff a full size drink at every country, but most adults could hadle a couple sips at each one. The kids get passports, we should get this.
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl That is a great idea Deb..I think you should send that one off to WDW management. Glad you liked the Rosa...it is my all time favorite at EPCOT, although I discovered Fairy Tale wine on my last visit.
Originally Posted By MPierce Thanks for the trip report. It sounds like you had a fun time. There is a little kiosk outside of the Canadian pavilion where they sell popcorn, you can get Moosehead or LeBatt beer there also.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^there was a kiosk that also had Canadian wine for $10, I passed. FerretAfros, that was a really good thorough report, fun reading. Thanks.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Is that stand right in front? We looked but the only thing there was a little cart selling pins and stuff. Off to the side by the stage for Off Kilter there seemed to be a little stand selling coffee and tea, but they didn't appear to have any alcoholic beverages.
Originally Posted By virk4 I never read long posts but FerretAfros, you did a nice job...very interesting and fun to read. I'll be there in two weeks.....I'll have to try some of that stuff 'around the world'
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I think the kiosk was on the water side of the promenade. I didn't buy any, just saw the sign. Glad to hear Off Kilter is still there.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I hate to sound like a fuddy-duddy, cause I have been known to throw a few back in my day, but, and please take no offense to this, extensive drinking in Disney World, especially in the parks just sounds wrong to me on multiple levels. I know, it's an adult activity and if the parks were exclusively adult (like Pleasure Island was) then I would not have a problem with it. It probably comes from the fact that over my many years of experience I know just how foolish drunks look, even if they think they are totally in control and only have a slight buzz (right!). Sorry, I wouldn't say anything to anyone about it, because it is allowed, but I sure cannot get my head to wrap around "Drinking around the World. It just doesn't seem like it's the right place or time.
Originally Posted By juicer I kind of agree with you - Being a former restaurant manager - I have had to deal with not so nice slightly drunk and mean drunks - Luckily I have not seen to many of them at EPCOT - But the few I did see really stuck out like a sore thumb - And I thanked my lucky stars I did'nt have to deal with them!
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I enjoyed reading your report, FA. It does sound pretty extreme, and I'm glad you weren't TOO ill afterwards. I can't imagine having more than a couple drinks in WDW in a day, but I'm not surprised people do. Happy Belated Magical 21st!
Originally Posted By macnak81 re fenwaygirl: , " send the idea to management" ? really , when ever I've tried that I get a letter from the legal department stating they do not accept ideas from the public and they return my letter. Do you have a secret insder?
Originally Posted By dlkozy >>>"It kind of tasted like the way my shoes did after they had gotten wet."<<< Gonna have to take your word on that one-I have never tasted my shoes, either wet or dry before.
Originally Posted By grlweatswchpstx FenwayGirl, where do you get Fairy Tale wine and what is it like?
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl We had Fairy Tale wine at both leCellier and Rose and Crown. You can only get it in EPCOT. It is a sparkling white wine, a little on the dry side, but very tasty..
Originally Posted By grlweatswchpstx Sounds good, we'll have to head to one of those while we're in Epcot! Thanks for the info
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub New: Look for LP: THE LATEST: La Cava del TEQUILA in the Mexico Pavilion. It's an educational opportunity!
Originally Posted By disney pete on our recent trip the was a lot of drunken people at epcot and although they werent swearing they were loud and pushing a lot in queues i must admit i wasnt impressed and i am by no means a fuddy duddy.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Maybe if my son knew people got drunk at WDW he might go there again with me sometime...
