Our meal plans for the day brought us to The Garden Grille. This led to the second complaint with the buses. We walked to the depot around 5:45 to pick up an Epcot bus. We must’ve seen at least three buses to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, but no Epcot. It wasn’t until 6:30 that the bus finally decided to show. We had 7:00 reservations and we’re going to push it. I felt sorry for the dad with three girls and a wife who had a dining reservation at 6:30 in Norway for the Princess dining. They were trying desperately to get the restaurant to hold their reservation with little success. Everyone on the bus was trying to calm the family down. The mom was freaking out and the three little “Princesses” were on the verge of tears. So sad.
Travel Tip: Advance Dining Reservations will only hold your reservation for 15 minutes after your scheduled time. Though it doesn’t seem like they really stick to the rule. We spotted the aforementioned family later in the park and they actually did get into the restaurant.
We pulled in around 6:55 and had to haul all the way to The Land pavilion. Not really an easy task especially when you’ve been walking all day. But we made it at 7:10.
Travel Tip: Plan Ahead!!!! Especially with the buses.
Now The Garden Grille restaurant was a favorite of my dad and it was the first time I actually remember eating in Walt Disney World. We ate back in the day when they still served lunch. My dad loved that the restaurant spun around scenes of Living with the Land and I like that we were eating the stuff that was grown hydroponically in the ride. Funny, I still remember eating a salad with the hydroponic greens and ranch dressing. And it was the best salad ever!
So the expectations were high and mom and I walked out disappointed. First of all, it’s family style and you basically eat whatever the chef has prepared for the night. The food was good and fresh, but really not worth the price. Our dinner platter was kinda tiny and with only two slices of mahi-mahi, beef, and turkey. Refills on the dishes were expected but the wait was atrocious. We saw the Living with the Land scenes twice before we received more food.
The only thing that saved the experience was the character dining. Who doesn’t love Pluto, Chip, Dale and Farmer Mickey? They all made the rounds and we even saw them twice. It was cute when Chip “tried” to eat our peach cobbler. I almost wanted to say, “Back off rodent, it’ll take a half hour to get another one.” But I didn’t and he left with tail intact.
Out of the restaurant and off we head to Living with the Land. I
This has always been one of my favorite rides at Epcot. We spent two full revolutions in the restaurant watching the scenes move by, might as well ride it now.
Back at the hotel, we were debating whether to see YeHaa Bob. We had heard such good things about him we knew it was a can’t miss. Walking up at 9:00 meant there was hardly any place to stand or sit. So we tried to grab a table but couldn’t find one. Thankfully for his intermission, tables finally opened up. We saw a good portion of the show. Where else do you see grown men rolling on the floor like alligators or a piano moving back and forth to the music? The entertainment is excellent and a don’t miss.
Travel Tip: Snag a table early for YeeHa Bob. Space is limited in the River Roost Lounge
This night though is where I had my fatal chain of events. I go to the hotel room early because I’m dead tired. I come back around 11:30p to pick up Mom from the lounge. I walked back in the pouring rain to the main building. The next morning, I have a killer sore throat and ended up miserable for the next three days. Such a bad mistake.
There is so much to see at the Walt Disney World Parks and we just wanted to make a quick