We Came, We Saw, We NAILED It! 2 BFFs Take On The World **9/1 One Man's Dream**

[TheMaxRebo]

you clearly enjoyed that Grand Marnier Slushie! and a childhood that didn't have Flinestones Pushups is one that was deprived indeed!

"Japan is gorgeous and probably one of my favorite countries at Epcot!" ... Love how that actually makes sense, as opposed to saying, one of your favorite countries in the world

 

[AthenaBolina]

Love the pics of the shows!! I will have to try take in some of those when we go next month Looks awesome! And I am so determined to have a grand marnier slushie...but are they in "to go" cups? I am afraid I would spill that!

 

[kaymil]

NOOOOO.....

Just read all the way to the end, and now I'm very sad to have to wait for more. I prefer my Disney in binge form...

Can't wait to read more!

 

[JessicaKnits]

The Grand Marnier slushie is my fave!! I've added the plum wine to my to-eat list!

you clearly enjoyed that Grand Marnier Slushie! and a childhood that didn't have Flinestones Pushups is one that was deprived indeed!

"Japan is gorgeous and probably one of my favorite countries at Epcot!" ... Love how that actually makes sense, as opposed to saying, one of your favorite countries in the world

Right? I have never been to the real Japan, but would love to some day!

Love the pics of the shows!! I will have to try take in some of those when we go next month Looks awesome! And I am so determined to have a grand marnier slushie...but are they in "to go" cups? I am afraid I would spill that!

I have not asked about a "to go" cup so I'm not sure. But it is a fairly thick consistency where it would not easily be spilled.

NOOOOO.....

Just read all the way to the end, and now I'm very sad to have to wait for more. I prefer my Disney in binge form...

Can't wait to read more!

Awesome! I'm a total binge TV watcher, so no judgement here!

 

[JessicaKnits]

After watching the Taiko drummers in Japan, we headed off to Morocco, where we didn't really do much, except grab a Habibi Daiquiri. They taste just like a regular daiquiri, but allegedly have rose water in them. I say allegedly because I couldn't taste any.

Here we met a woman that SWORE up and down that there were 13 countries in the World Showcase and that we had a looooooong way to go in our quest. Um...ok. Maybe she was just trying to psych us out.

We then stopped by America for an Angry Orchard. To be absolutely correct, we stopped for an Angry Orchard AFTER I had a meltdown over the fact that there was no more Red Stag lemonade.

Drink that I could buy at any Walmart in the US in hand...we headed off to our last stop.

Just as we were rounding the bend into China, we realized on the times guide that the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats were about to perform, so we HAD to stop. Everyone was seated on the concrete for this event, so we followed suit sitting pretzel-legged on the ground.

What followed was so incredible and amazing, I simply don't have words for it. The sun was setting just behind everything and it was all just so beautiful. This was definitely a "do not try at home" type event. But really, we couldn't even if we wanted to!

http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab117/JessicaKnits/Disneyworld%20Feb%202014/Day%203/DSC00466_zps9108f5a7.jpg[/IMG

[IMG]http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab117/JessicaKnits/Disneyworld%20Feb%202014/Day%203/DSC00467_zpsb650ae7f.jpg

(Continued in next post)

 

[JessicaKnits]

Just...wow. That's really all I can say!

 

[AthenaBolina]

Just...wow. That's really all I can say!

that is amazing!!

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Love it!!!

 

[JessicaKnits]

that is amazing!!

Incredible! I'm so glad we stopped.

Love it!!!

Agreed!

 

[kristenabelle]

following! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip

 

[JessicaKnits]

following! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip

Thanks for following!

 

[JessicaKnits]

After the Jeweled Dragons (seriously, can you believe how awesome?!?!) we were at kind of an awkward stage. It was still a little too early to check in for dinner, but also not quite enough time to have a drink at La Cava without being super rushed, and potentially late for dinner. The line for Maelstrom was long...so that was out as well.

We did however, have enough time for a ride on the Three Caballeros. This was my first time ever going on this. I thought it was cute!

So, off to Mexico we went...

It ended up being perfect timing because we were able to check in casually early at La Hacienda, in order to request a waterside table.

I absolutely LOVED the decor in La Hacienda!

And here is our review...

We finished our World Tour of Alcohol in Mexico, where we also ate dinner at La Hacienda.

We requested a table at the window in hopes we could catch Illuminations. We checked in for our 7:00 PM reservation at 6:45, so were more than willing to wait. We got a table in the corner about as far from the windows as physically possible. It wasn't a huge deal, I understand requests are requests. This was the only place that we didn't get our seating request though.

I do apologize, since we basically ordered the same meal there won't be a ton of variety happening.

We started with chips and salsa. The green was mild and the red was slightly spicier with a very smoky flavor. I liked them both.

Then came the star of the day...

It was called the Rosita. I don't remember much about it other than it was made with top notch tequila, was incredibly strong and not fruity at all. It looked lovely.

Megan ordered the same. Unfortunately, hers came out tasting like salt water. It was horrible and had to be sent back. I'm not sure what happened since we ordered the same thing and they were made at the same time.

For appetizers, Megan ordered this....

Queso Fundido - melted cheese with poblano peppers, chorizo, and flour tortillas $12.75

Ordered without chorizo to make it veggie-friendly. This was the biggest disappointment of the night, including the salty-rita. The cheese was solid to the point that it could be cut with a knife and fork and plopped onto a chip.

I ordered this little beauty...

Camarones a la Parrilla - grilled shrimp served over caramelized pineapple and chile de arbol sauce $12.75

This was AWESOME. I've always loved caramelized pineapple, but this...OH. MY. It was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy and the shrimp were cooked beautifully. My only criticism, if I had to have one, is that I wished they would have taken the tails of the shrimp. The sauce they were in was very sticky from the pineapple and I didn't want to eat them with my hands, but eating them with a knife and fork lead to precious shrimp meat being lost!

For entrees, we both ordered the same thing...

Tacos de Camarones - Fried shrimp, chipotle-lime aioli, cabbage, lime and salsa verde, all served over flour tortillas served fresh homemade corn tortillas and rice $24.95

Normally, I would never order shrimp tacos at a restaurant. I make a pretty incredible shrimp taco myself, and restaurant tacos never compare and I'm always left disappointed. These however, fit the bill. This was a HUGE portion. There are FIVE tacos in there! There is a lot happening there, but overall, everything works together. Again, the only criticism, if I HAD to have one, is that I wish they offered the shrimp grilled or broiled instead of fried. But it was a great little indulgence and we both at ALL of these tacos!

For dessert we both went with this...

Empanada de Manzana - puff pastry filled with sauteed caramel apples, served with dulce de leche ice cream and cajeta (caramel sauce) $7.95

This was also amazing. I could drink a glass of that caramel sauce. I had to restrain myself because there was another snack on the other side of the World Showcase that I had my heart set on.

Despite Megan's salty margarita and brick of cheese, I really enjoyed our meal here. The restaurant is beautiful and vibrant and all of my food was excellent!

After dinner we scoped out a spot for Illuminations. It was only about 30 minutes before the show started and I was AMAZED at how completely empty the World Showcase was! I mean, I know we were there during slower season, but this was crazy! (Hint: Later, we found that ALL of the people I was missing in the World Showcase were at the Fastpass+ viewing area for Illuminations. What a waste that was for them!)

Anywhoo....

I had my stomach set on something I had read about on the Disney Food Blog, so left Megan somewhere around Germany or Italy while I went off to France for this little beauty....

This was the Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich from the gelato shop there. It was touted on the Food Blog as being a snack credit (it wasn't) and was quite tasty. I got pistachio gelato (my all time fave) and raspberry sauce in the middle. By the time I walked back over to our viewing spot, the inside was pretty well melted, so a picture of the inside just wasn't going to happen. It was tasty though. I'm not sure I would order this again as I don't feel it was worth the $6.50. For a snack credit I definitely would!

And my timing was quite perfect, because just as I finished my snack, Illuminations was about to begin...

 

[JessicaKnits]

For Illuminations, I was super excited to try out the fireworks setting on my camera. This didn't work out as well as I had hoped, because I do not have steady hands, so always have to balance the camera on something else. The only "something else" available was the railing, which had a rounded top. Still, I managed to get some good shots, and I will continue to mess around with this setting!

Not too shabby...right?

We headed out towards England and Canada, where we found this awesome sidewalk chalk drawing...

And headed back towards the parking lot, but first we got our picture taken in front of Spaceship Earth. This is one of my favorite pictures of us from this trip...

Wowza! What a long day! When we arrived back to the hotel, it took us approximately 4 minutes to fall asleep.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

I love Illuminations! Great update!

 

[Chief Powhatan]

It sounds like a great day at Epcot - I am glad you guys were able to stay well-hydrated!

 

[DisneyJo]

Loving your report so far

How nice that the two of you are getting to spend such a wonderful vacation together oh and I love your fireworks photos

 

[annie170]

I'm really enjoying your trip report, Jessica!

I think I've gained about ten pounds just looking at the photos of your fabulous meals and cocktails!!!

 

[LindseyLou2222]

Yum! I'm going to drink myself around the world one of these days.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Going on Mexican It's a Small World is a definite must!

Your shrimp appetizer looks and sounds awesome!

Sorry you were a little underwhelmed by your ice cream sandwich - they sound like they would be delicious, though $6.50 does sound a little pricey

Nice illuminations shots - especially the ones less zoomed in

 

[marryfrmtx]

Great trip report. Can't wait for the next installment.