The ABCs of a New 'Ohana Adventure-G is for: Greetings From Teppan, Good-Byes, and Good News!!! - COMPLETED 1/7

[juniorbugman]

Just found that you have started this report back up and I will be reading along. Glad you finished your BSN and in 4 months. Great job.
Glad you got to spend some time with the family at Thanksgiving. Even though I am Canadian we always celebrate American Thanksgiving with my friends on the Saturday afterwards (reason to get together and have turkey). Of course we couldn't get together so we catered it and delivered food to everybody's houses.

 

[Steppesister]

E is for Echo Lake Escapes!​

Making babies is such hard work,… er, droid babies that is. Not much else makes one quite as weary as being a new parent or getting up at 4:00AM. Even at Disney.

It was time for a break. I could see it on their faces; I could hear it in the escalation of complaints and small digging remarks as siblings are prone to do. As mentioned in the last chapter, we brought forth life to our 2 happy droids before our planned dinner at Prime Time Café. I was looking forward to the antics and silliness but was rather wiped out from my labors. Foreknowing and dreading one’s impending visa bill tends to tap one out too.

And I suppose there comes a tipping point that tends to make one give in to the illusion that money may as well be like booze flowing on the day Prohibition was lifted. Tossing caution to the wind, there was no turning back, so I found a place to rest my feet, cool my jets, and give my wallet another turn of anxiety- The Tune-In Lounge, the most logical place to pull up a barstool and sit a spell.

​

This may be one of the most over-looked little sit-down spots in Hollywood Studios. While not fancy, it is comfortable, even if a bit less cozy than say, the Geyser Point Lounge of the Bellvue at the Boardwalk. True to the kitschy style of the Prime Time, replete with formica-topped boomerang shaped coffee tables, low-profile seating, and laminated wood furniture, the lounge boasts loud, obnoxious colors and bric-a-brac that instantly reminds me of my grandparent’s home in Cleveland, Ohio in the early 70's. The only thing missing here is the Venus de Milo oil lamp. Wish I had that now. It would have paid for our entire 2 weeks at Disney.

​

Plopping my flabby thighs onto the vinyl stool, I had flashbacks of the entirety of the skin from the back of said thighs being ripped off onto my other grandmother’s leather car seats when moving too quickly on a hot day. If you’ve ever done that, you KNOW what I’m talking about. I had left the kids bickering back in Star Warsland and had gone ahead to have a break. I love my kids, but I needed a mommy time out.... I was hot. I was crabby. And I wanted a cheap drink that would quench my thirst, so left Disney and ordered up a rum and Coke. It was strong. And lovely. And went down far too easily.

​

About the time I had finished it, the kids showed up just as hot and crabby. Dinner was still 20 minutes away, possibly more, so I encouraged them to order a tall, cold something to figure life out and keep a straw in their mouths.

​

I was also a bit peckish and felt a bit weird sitting at the bar for so long, so was somewhat self-guilt tripped into ordering a little snicky-snack- Fried Boursin Cheese (sadly, this is not on the menu anymore), but here’s the recipe if you’re interested:


Ingredients:

4 oz. water
4 oz. lettuce mix
3 beaten eggs
2 oz. raspberry sauce (Melba sauce)
1/2 lb. flour, seasoned
1 qt. soybean or canola oil
1/2 lb. bread crumbs, seasoned
1 French Bread, Sliced, toasted (9")
2 Boursin cheese wheels (5 oz. each)

Method:

Cut cheese wheels in half crosswise with a hot dry knife. Dredge cheese in flour then egg and then bread crumbs. Repeat in egg then bread crumbs. Set aside in refrigerator. Fill a cast iron skillet with oil 1/4" high. Heat oil to 350° and fry cheese until golden brown then flip over and fry the other side. Remove from oil and place on paper towel. Place salad mix on center of plate and arrange bread slices around cheese, top with sauce.

​

Know what? It was good!!! Seriously, if you need a small pick-me-up and a place to beat the heat, the Tune-In might be a place to go. The kids all ordered a drink as well, except Anara who was in a full-on snit. Apparently, water was her jam. Which was fine by me since I was picking up her tab along the way.

Zach ended up with the:

Magical Star Cocktail- X-Fusion Organic Mango and passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, and a souvenir Multicolored Glow Cube $15.00

​

I have no idea what I ordered after that, it really doesn’t matter, but it did help me tolerate the cheek given to me by our table server who carried things a bit too far at dinner. If I haven’t written about that yet, let me know and I can get to that. If I have, you can find that chapter and enjoy. Meantime, cheers, Friends!!

​

 

[Steppesister]

Nope! Lead on Macduff!

(Yes, I know that's a mis-quote, but it fits.)

?? Help me out here.

Oh! Impressive. Good for her.
And... I knew your cruise got canceled last fall. Glad you rescheduled it.

Just praying by next year life will be turning the corner to back to normal.

Then if we get trapped on the Skyliner together, we're both safe.

You chose... wisely.

Sometimes, once in a while, that happens.

Oh really! Good for you! Lots of trips coming up to make up for the crappy non-trip year that is 2020.

No. It was an idea. No trips at all planned right now.

Except I got Disney to pay me a few days ago. That was a change.

OH? AP refund?

Well, this was quite a while ago. I think maybe even before you did it?

I'm sure it was. It was quite a while after SW:GE opened that we could go.

I would like to take mine back and return it. It just sits and stares now. I could use the refund to by a nice car.

I know I got a box, but had to scrap it when I packed for the flight home.

I literally cannot even remember if we did. We must have but.... no clue. This TR is ancient as the mummies now.

 

[Steppesister]

Quality time with our awesome adult offspring is always a good thing!

Always. Today we made cookies and watched a Christmas movie together. So delightful!

 

[Steppesister]

Building droids was a surprisingly fun activity

It really was. I was surprised at how well the store was themed and how well/smoothly it was run. Well executed IMHO.

 

[Steppesister]

Yeah, he was pretty cool! I'm a bit surprised though...with my limited experience, Mikki seemed pretty easy going and up for whatever also.

I thought I'd quoted it, but didn't see it come through...with the new degree, will that help find something more permanent and not elective based? I know you were looking ahead with moving. Still wish it was here.

She is as well. I"m glad she is going on the cruise with us and I think she'll enjoy the trip as a whole. Hopefully soon we'll have a Zoom meeting with her friend Hannah who is going and start to figure out shore excursions and stuff.

I am not sure what I'll be doing yet tbh. THere are a couple of PACU/surgical options in Bowling Green, my parents think I should look into travel nursing (pays better), just not sure.But yes, certainly the BSN will help me be a bit more marketable with the search!

I can see myself spending time in the Orlando area since KY is closer. And if I do travel nursing for a year or so it would free me up to find a temp job there. We shall see.

 

[Steppesister]

Just found that you have started this report back up and I will be reading along. Glad you finished your BSN and in 4 months. Great job.
Glad you got to spend some time with the family at Thanksgiving. Even though I am Canadian we always celebrate American Thanksgiving with my friends on the Saturday afterwards (reason to get together and have turkey). Of course we couldn't get together so we catered it and delivered food to everybody's houses.

Thanks!!! It a lot of hard work but I'm glad I pressed through and got 'er done.

That's a great idea about catering and delivering. Great option! I have heard that Canadians don't celebrate the Canadian holiday quite as extensively. Is that true from your perspective? Is it rarer to see Canadians celebrating it the same weekend as Americans? Curious!

 

[suse66]

And I suppose there comes a tipping point that tends to make one give in to the illusion that money may as well be like booze flowing on the day Prohibition was lifted. Tossing caution to the wind, there was no turning back, so I found a place to rest my feet, cool my jets, and give my wallet another turn of anxiety- The Tune-In Lounge, the most logical place to pull up a barstool and sit a spell.

Mom time outs are essential to keep everything running smoothly!

I was also a bit peckish and felt a bit weird sitting at the bar for so long, so was somewhat self-guilt tripped into ordering a little snicky-snack- Fried Boursin Cheese (sadly, this is not on the menu anymore), but here’s the recipe if you’re interested:

This is one of my favourites! Thanks for the recipe.

Know what? It was good!!! Seriously, if you need a small pick-me-up and a place to beat the heat, the Tune-In might be a place to go. The kids all ordered a drink as well, except Anara who was in a full-on snit. Apparently, water was her jam. Which was fine by me since I was picking up her tab along the way.

I like the Tune-In......like you say it's fun and kitschy.

I have no idea what I ordered after that, it really doesn’t matter, but it did help me tolerate the cheek given to me by our table server who carried things a bit too far at dinner. If I haven’t written about that yet, let me know and I can get to that. If I have, you can find that chapter and enjoy. Meantime, cheers, Friends!!

I haven't read that chapter yet but it sounds intriguing!

That's a great idea about catering and delivering. Great option! I have heard that Canadians don't celebrate the Canadian holiday quite as extensively. Is that true from your perspective? Is it rarer to see Canadians celebrating it the same weekend as Americans? Curious!

Not the OP but I'll jump in. Our Thanksgiving is the second Monday of October ( same as your Columbus Day weekend). It's an important holiday but way more low key than the American version. I don't know anyone who celebrates American Thanksgiving unless they have American friends/family or are living in the US.

 

[missjackiemcg]

One of our very favorite places to duck in and take a break!! My personal go-to is Dad's Electric Lemonade. Mmmmmmm! I absolutely love how they decorate for Christmas in there, too!

have no idea what I ordered after that, it really doesn’t matter, but it did help me tolerate the cheek given to me by our table server who carried things a bit too far at dinner. If I haven’t written about that yet, let me know and I can get to that. If I have, you can find that chapter and enjoy. Meantime, cheers, Friends!!

Ooooh, tell me more!! I do not believe you've gotten to that story yet!

 

[Steppesister]

Mom time outs are essential to keep everything running smoothly!

Indeed!!!

This is one of my favourites! Thanks for the recipe.

You're welcome! I was surprised to see it gone from the menu.

I like the Tune-In......like you say it's fun and kitschy.

I had to wait quite a bit- maybe 15 minutes? to get a barstool. I think everyone was getting hot and needed a park break.

I haven't read that chapter yet but it sounds intriguing!

I'll have to type that one up then.

Not the OP but I'll jump in. Our Thanksgiving is the second Monday of October ( same as your Columbus Day weekend). It's an important holiday but way more low key than the American version. I don't know anyone who celebrates American Thanksgiving unless they have American friends/family or are living in the US.

Very interesting! So, lots of food or football? Any other traditions different than what Americans might do?

 

[Steppesister]

I absolutely love how they decorate for Christmas in there, too!

I can imagine!! DHS in general is my favorite for Christmas, so I envision silvery-tinsely trees with vintage ornaments. So fun!

Ooooh, tell me more!! I do not believe you've gotten to that story yet!

I will try to get to that one next weekend. Working around 50 hours this week, so probably not til then.

 

[docsoliday1]

Making babies is such hard work

I've found the making part to be a lot of fun.

Not much else makes one quite as weary as being a new parent or getting up at 4:00AM.

Now THAT'S the hard part.
I get up between 430 and 5 every morning, so 4 isnt too much of a stretch. Being woken by a baby at that time frame is a different story.

I could hear it in the escalation of complaints and small digging remarks as siblings are prone to do.

Isn't that what siblings do ALL the time? Oh, I get it, you mean more than usual.

Foreknowing and dreading one’s impending visa bill tends to tap one out too.

Especially a visa bill from disney.

I had flashbacks of the entirety of the skin from the back of said thighs being ripped off onto my other grandmother’s leather car seats when moving too quickly on a hot day. If you’ve ever done that, you KNOW what I’m talking about.

I am familiar. Wish I wasn't, but yes. Same with Naugahide. Poor, poor Naugas.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The Tune-In Lounge, the most logical place to pull up a barstool and sit a spell.

This is a place that we never really knew existed until I started reading trip reports. It looks like a quiet place to relax.

 

[pkondz]

Making babies is such hard work

This TR sure took a turn!!!

Not much else makes one quite as weary as being a new parent or getting up at 4:00AM

How about being a new parent and getting up at 4:00am???

I could hear it in the escalation of complaints and small digging remarks as siblings are prone to do.

Ah yes. I am familiar with that. Both as the sibling and as the parent of siblings.

Foreknowing and dreading one’s impending visa bill tends to tap one out too.

I try not to think about it during the vacation. Which is why it often comes as a shock at the end of the vacation!

there comes a tipping point that tends to make one give in to the illusion that money may as well be like booze flowing on the day Prohibition was lifted.

ooohhhh... that was nicely said.

This may be one of the most over-looked little sit-down spots in Hollywood Studios.

I've seen it, but... nope. Never sat at the bar. I probably should.

formica-topped boomerang shaped coffee tables,

I want one of those. I mean... perfectly retro.

The only thing missing here is the Venus de Milo oil lamp. Wish I had that now. It would have paid for our entire 2 weeks at Disney.

I looked one up. It was going for $350!

Like the Mickey head table posts.

I had flashbacks of the entirety of the skin from the back of said thighs being ripped off onto my other grandmother’s leather car seats when moving too quickly on a hot day.

Hmmm... I know of what you speak, but our car wasn't leather. Vinyl, I think.

I wanted a cheap drink that would quench my thirst, so left Disney and ordered up a rum and Coke.

Um... what? Left Disney? But... you're in Disney, so you ain't gettin' a cheap nothin'!

I encouraged them to order a tall, cold something to figure life out and keep a straw in their mouths.

Fried Boursin Cheese

That sounded pretty good!

it did help me tolerate the cheek given to me by our table server who carried things a bit too far at dinner.

Oh?

If I haven’t written about that yet, let me know and I can get to that.

I'm almost positive you haven't? At least it doesn't ring a bell. I'm gonna go with "nope", you didn't post about that.

 

[pkondz]

?? Help me out here.

Well, the quote is actually "Lay on MacDuff" as a prelude to a swordfight. But that wouldn't fit in this case. Lead on, does.

Just praying by next year life will be turning the corner to back to normal.

<sigh> I sure hope so.

Now it's your turn to explain why you posted this here?
Wait.... are you saying you'll lop my head off???????

Sometimes, once in a while, that happens.

No. It was an idea. No trips at all planned right now.

ah

OH? AP refund?

 

[vamassey1]

Congrats on furthering your education!

I enjoyed your Droid Build. We haven't done this one yet. DH did the lightsaber and DD had a reservation to do the droid but cancelled it. It really look fun and the kids seemed to enjoy it.

I haven't tried the Tune-Inn Lounge yet, but I have sat in the waiting area before while waiting to be called to sit for our dinner. To me it screams "The Brady Bunch".

I'm glad you picked this back up.

 

[glennbo123]

Just read your Droid Depot chapter. We had a big WDW trip with all the kids and now-son-in-law over last New Year's and they all made droids. Judy and I weren't with them when they made them but they couldn't wait to show us back at the suite. They LOVED them, and still love them nearly a year later. James took his to college, which we didn't think was a good idea but he did anyway, and it seems to be surviving. I didn't know about that serving tray thing you can buy as an accessory -- I might have to look into that! Although I don't yet own a sail barge (ala Jabba the Hutt). And you made me think -- stripped screws may be our saving grace when the "Singularity" comes and we're facing a robot apocalypse.

 

[Steppesister]

F is for Fried Chicken Feed!

​

Everyone loves a little light-hearted teasing, and generally speaking Disney’s themed, role playing restaurants do a bang up job at immersing one in some low-key roasting. Our time travel to the 50’s however wasn’t as prime as I’d have liked or what I’ve experienced in the past. I mean it wasn’t horrible, but at times it felt like it crossed the line into the over-done-that-bordered-on-rude. Funny how my chapters have either had a ridiculous photo overload or, as in this case, a pitiful few which paint a rather paltry picture. Instead, you’ll have to rely on my less-than-adequate story telling….

If you’ll recall, Dear Reader, we last left off with a tired, rather cranky crew who needed some chill time. So, we sat in the Tune-In Lounge to wet our whistles and cool our jets. It was hot and so were our collective tempers. Not that we were fighting, we just needed a pause. And rest. When the time was right, I checked us in for our early dinner for the Prime Time with visions of crispy fried chicken dancing in my head. My mouth was already watering!

Cousin So-and-So called our family and ushered us into Mom’s dining room making sure to remind us to keep our elbow’s off the table. He didn't say we couldn't watch TV.

​

The mid-century modern designs on the vintage formica tables gave rise to memories of the deli Grandma used to take me to in downtown Glendale, CA. I’ll never forget the cheese blintzes or mile-high pastrami sandwiches that were as big as my face. But a Jewish deli this is not. It’s a meat and potatoes stalwart sitting on the shores of Echo Lake. It’s also known for it’s kitchy antics, making it a draw for some and a den of despair for others. If you have a hard time with overdone theatrics, uninvited attention, or interrupted meals, best to lurk in the anonymity of the nearby Sci-Fi Dine-in.

But if you are young at heart and want a *full-immersion experience, the Prime Time just might be your thing. With the rules meted out, we were left to make our choices. Having booze onboard along with a wee snack, we weren’t overly hungry. As I’d predicted, we ended up deciding on:

Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken, served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, chicken gravy and seasonal vegetables- $24 (is canned corn ever "seasonal"? )

​

and

Cousin Megan's Traditional Meatloaf, a blend of beef and pork topped with tomato glaze, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans- $21

​

We also added an extra order of corn and mashed potatoes. But not until we saw that, what I honestly thought would sate the lot of us, wasn’t going to. That’s when our server, whom I’m sure was confident was playing the part just fine, got a big too snarky for her britches. Instead, it came off as just snippy and rude. Whether her britches were in a wad because we'd ordered 2 meals instead of 4, was tired from her shift, didn’t like her job in general, or hated us personally, it left a sour taste in my mouth. The meal likewise left a less-than satisfied taste in my mouth. Not only were the portions far less than I’d seen in years past, it was simply a bit bland… lackluster at best. Not bad per se, but not the amazing, juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside golden deliciousness that I’d set my hopes on. The meatloaf was lacking in much real flavor at all. Potatoes are potatoes, and canned corn is canned corn, so I won’t factor those into this laywoman’s assessment.

Still, it was filling. But not so much that a peanut butter and jelly milkshake couldn’t attempt to redeem or salvage this meal. And that’s when it happened…our table was on the edge of the room and my particular seat had a little wall to shield the kitchen door making a bit of a blind spot in my vantage point. I glanced up from the table watching expectantly for our shake leaning forward to peek around the corner. At the exact same moment, Cousin McSnottyPants poked her head around the corner and said, “BOO!!!!!” I literally screamed and can neither confirm nor deny I simultaneously peed my capris. While my heart recovered and my **Troponins began to elevate, my kids nearly killed themselves laughing. Always good to know your kids are concerned and looking out for your welfare. With grandiose deadpan, the server plunked the shake down on the table with a resounding apathy leaving us to eat the entire thing. Because calories don’t count on vacation. And yes, you may be wondering how we could restrain ourselves with only one shake. First of all, they are quite large, and while the servings of food were quite a bit smaller than I’d hoped or remembered, this was adequate for a shared dessert. Besides, we had an inter-stellar engagement planned for later, so filling ourselves silly wasn’t appealing.

​

In summary, the food was okay, not great. Arguably, the server had redeemed herself in my kids’ eyes, but I still wrote in my trip notes, “Server was fun, but overdid the snotty to the point it was weird.” The price was average for Disney, and I think all-told it was around $70 including the tip. $17.50 for 4 people which includes some fun theming and a “show” ain’t too shabby. Would I go back? Oh sure! I like the place, but for a more quiet meal and park break, I’d probably choose Brown Derby for a drink and the Cobb salad.

*Your mileage may vary.

**Troponins are a group of proteins found in skeletal and heart (cardiac) muscle fibers that regulate muscular contraction. Troponin tests measure the level of cardiac-specific troponin in the blood to help detect heart injury.

 

[Steppesister]

I've found the making part to be a lot of fun.

The creating part, I've no doubt... it's the 9 months in the making part that can be.... tedious.

Now THAT'S the hard part.
I get up between 430 and 5 every morning, so 4 isnt too much of a stretch. Being woken by a baby at that time frame is a different story.

I do once a week at well. Sucky.

Isn't that what siblings do ALL the time? Oh, I get it, you mean more than usual.

LOL!! Pretty much. Yes.

Especially a visa bill from disney.

Ain't that the truth! It's like a Visa at Christmas on steroids.

I am familiar. Wish I wasn't, but yes. Same with Naugahide. Poor, poor Naugas.

That stuff can rip off an entire thigh with one wrong move!

 

[Steppesister]

This is a place that we never really knew existed until I started reading trip reports. It looks like a quiet place to relax.

Definitely not the most quiet place to find to relax, I actually like HBD more for a relaxing time out. But it's a bit spendier and there's no INDOOR lounge- only outdoor- even before Covid. They will seat you for a light snack, appies and a drink inside though.