Take Your Time

To refresh our memories, we last left off in Mexico. We had mere hours to make our way around the World showcase, but we continued on with staunch determination.

Jeff and Meghan wandered off to some other food booths while I set about to take as many pictures of China as humanly possible, as evidenced by my camera roll.

All throughout these pavilions, the imagineers give the spaces and “Sense of Life”, as if people actually live there and have just stepped away.

China has one of the most notoriously bad restaurants in World Showcase. I’ve never been, but it’s rumored to feature over-priced, americanized Chinese cuisine, not much different than your local mall’s food court. No matter how crazy busy the parks get, you can always get a table there, though so that’s one for the plus column!

Jeff returned to me with Kimchi Dog offered at the South Korea booth. Though I’m not a huge fan of hotdogs in general,the buzz about this snack was just too loud for me not to try it.

The spicy Hot Dog is topped with a Kimchi Slaw and drizzled with a spicy mustard sauce. It was so dang delicious! I really wish I just ordered two because the portion was a bit skimpy. That would be my only criticism.

Next, we made a quick stop in Germany to grab some caramel corn to bring home for my mom. (Hi Mom!).

Also in Germany, you will find the year ’round Christmas shop, die Weihnachtsecke Ecke. Here you can purchase your traditional Christmas pickle ornament- if you want to participate in a LIE! 

Legend has it that in Germany the custom is to hang a pickle-shaped glass ornament on the Christmas tree, hidden away. The first child to find it on Christmas morning is supposed to get a special treat or an extra present. However, it seems that none the good people of Germany never heard of this tradition. I’m thinking that an ornament salesmen with a gross glass pickles to sell invented this legend. Very clever, pickle ornament man. Very clever, indeed.

I completed my mission to obtain the aforementioned caramel corn and also got sucked into buying a gigantic salted caramel. Hey, it smelled like butter and heaven in there!

Our trip came around full circle here. Diligent readers, like yourself, will recall that, on our very first day, we sampled the most scrumptious pizza at Via Napoli.  Well, today we moseyed on back to Italy to duck into one of the newest boîtes in World Showcase, Tutto Gusto.

During our previous Food & Wine trip, I avoided these kinds of forays, with the idea that we needed to stick the festival to make the most it. This time, I decided that we should stop and enjoy more of what World Showcase has to offer. This also meant that we could actually sit down at a real table rather than standing over a trash can.

Tutto Gusto opened in 2012 following the trend started by La Cava de Tequila in  Mexico and now the newly christened Spice Road Table in Morocco.  These are smaller, more intimate bars and lounges where you can escape the large crowds and enjoy an adult beverage along with some tasty small plates.

The food offerings greet you in a lovely, lighted display case. Very tempting, indeed.

Although everything looks high quality, the prices here are a a bit out of hand. A small sampling of cured meats served with a couple pieces of focaccia will run you twenty-nine bucks! Oof!  We decided to use our funds to take a wine flight instead. We chose the Grand Tour which consisted of six samplings for $28.00.

We reclined on the cute sofa and sipped our wines at our leisure while trying desperately to forget the fact that we a scant, few hours left before we had to make our way back to the hotel for the inevitable. It helped.

Before I leave you hanging on our next installment, I’ll relay a bit of information about IlluniNations viewing. This night time spectacular is a must see, no two ways about it. The trouble is trying to find a premium spot from which to view it. I will not spend two hours on a curb to see anything, so our view of any fire works etc. is usually compromised. Disney knows this and will gladly take you on a IllumiNations cruise for $350.  A lot of cash, but if you’re with a large group, you can split the cost among as many as ten people. If I have that many friends someday, I might go for it. You can also book a private dessert party viewing for about a gazallion dollars if you’re so inclined. Recently, though, I discovered that for just $150 one can reserve this sweet viewing spot right in Italy.

Still a good chunk of change, but for a special occasion, I feel it would be worth it. Picture this: you and your beloved (or up to five people), sipping a Prosecco whislt taking in this view!

Sadly, we did not partake this time. The picture is from my friend’s site.

To give you a one to one comparison, this is another view from the overlook:

 …and our view squished among the masses during the same part of the show.

Next Up: All good things must come to an end. Even if you stomp your feet and pout about it.