Our Dining Review - Byte by Bite (*NEW Final Day 8 w/Pictures)

[Dustmouse]

Our eight-day adventure begins on Monday, June 5th. My darling DH and two strapping young boys (13 & 14) returned for our second trip to the World after our first visit in 2001. We love to eat and enjoy our time together around the table. Everyone was looking forward to returning to some old favorites and I booked ADR's for some new surprises! The DDP seemed like an excellent opportunity to have some fun, so here we go....

Day 1 - Arrival Day
Checked in to BCV around 4pm with plenty of time to make our evening ADR at The Hollywood Brown Derby at 6:30pm. We checked in early around 6:05 and were given a pager. It was hot and the place was packed. The boys and I snuck over the to the Great Movie Ride while Dad waited for a table. We received the call about 6:40pm and were seated at a table for four on the main floor. We opted to pay OOP for this meal so we did not order appetizers.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/brownderbysign.jpg


DH and DS13 both ordered the “Char-grilled Filet Mignon.” DH deemed it “tender, tasty, and terrific.” DS enjoyed it too, but said it tasted like beer. (That would be the Merlot reduction.)
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/bd_filet.jpg


DS14 got the Citrus Glazed Rotisserie Half Chicken and said it was really good. He ALWAYS cleans his plate, but did comment that it was especially enjoyable.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/bd_chicken.jpg


I chose the Grilled Atlantic Salmon and was very pleased with the mix of flavors. The Gorgonzola, dried tomatoes, and wilted arugula were yummy!
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/bd_salmon.jpg


We definitely saved room for dessert and DS14 immediately went for the Happiest Celebration on Earth Dessert. He really liked it too, but didn’t think there was enough of it. He’s a two scoop kinda guy!
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/bd_happiestdessert.jpg


DH struggled to decide between the Crème Brulee and the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Praline Cheesecake, but the cheesecake prevailed. It looked wonderful and was gone before I got around to asking for a bite.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/bd_cheesecake.jpg


No worries, I had the infamous Grapefruit Cake to keep my taste buds company. It was refreshing and different. I’m not sure I would order it again, but I’m definitely glad I tried it once.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/bd_grapefruitcake.jpg


DS13, feeling none to adventurous, stayed safe with a scoop of ice cream and we all waddled our way towards Fantasmic!

Hope you enjoyed it! Stay tuned for Day 2...

[Princess4Eeyore]

:thumbsup2 WOW! Great Pics ... Thank you for the review!!! Looking forward to more! :goodvibes

[Minniespal]

Really enjoyed your review ~ we always eat at the BD at least twice every trip.

Excellent piccies ~ My mouth was watering looking at them.

[donaldtutter]

Awesome review!!!

[nluvwithmickey]

I love dining reviews with pictures! Thank you SOOOO much!


Can't wait to read the rest of your report.

[D&R love Disney]

Great review and I love your pictures.

[theycallmered]

I heart :lovestruc food.
I heart :lovestruc WDW.
I heart :lovestruc pictures of food.

This is definetly the review for me. :ccat:

Great so far. Keep them coming!! :rainbow:

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Thanks for the great reviews! I love the pictures!

[richard_andmel]

Thanks for sharing your reviews. :)

[Dustmouse]

Day 2 – Close Encounters with the Yeti & Mom reminds us to eat our greens!

Waking up the first morning in our 1 bedroom villa was divine! Since we were provided a full kitchen, my plan was to eat breakfast in the room to avoid wasting valuable time in the park. (We did four character breakfasts on the last trip, let’s move on!) Anyway, I placed a grocery order with GardenGrocer.com prior to arrival and they were great! So, while I got ready, DH cooked eggs, bacon & toast for himself and DS14. DS13 and I are not big breakfast eaters, so we just had a piece of toast and were ready to face the Yeti!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/yetisign.jpg


Mid morning, we were getting hot and thirsty, so we stopped by the Harambe Fruit Market for a cold crisp apple and some refreshing beverages.

By noon, we had escaped the clutches of the Yeti twice and were more than ready for lunch! Tusker House was nearby so DH secured a table in the back while I waited in line. We all decided to try the Fried Chicken Sandwich with Steak Fries. The portions were large, the chicken was juicy and the greens were fresh. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture!) For dessert, we had one cheesecake, two chocolate cakes, and one carrot cake. All three were very good. Overall, it ended up being a bit heavy with all the fried food and rich dessert during the heat of the day, but it was good stuff!

After some rest back at the resort, we were headed back to MGM for a 7:05pm ADR at 50’s Prime Time Café. We arrived about 7pm and struggled to find seating in the lobby while we waited. Chatted with a nice family from New Orleans and were finally called to dinner about 7:40pm. After being reminded to remove our hats, wash our hands, and keep our elbows off of the table, DS13 and I treated ourselves to some soda complete with Electric Ice Cubes! While these are not covered on the DDP, through the magic of Disney and our awesome server, we did not have to pay extra.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/50s_glowingice.jpg


For appetizers, DH ordered a green salad with ranch dressing which was not on the menu, but they happily accommodated. Both DS’s got the Chicken Noodle Soup and I decided to try the Shrimp Cocktail. DH said the salad was fresh and the dressing was good. The boys did not finish their soup which they said was kind of boring and I would agree. My Shrimp Cocktail arrived and it was five decent sized shrimp plated around a lemon wedge. Hmmm…where’s the cocktail sauce in this cocktail you ask? Well, I had to ask too and it didn’t arrive for several more minutes, but they were really busy and I didn’t really care. I was at Disney World for goodness sake!

Getting down to serious business, DH ordered the Top Sirloin Steak cooked medium w/french fries and DS13 ordered the same with mashed potatoes. Apparently neither of them were taking any chances on the “root hash”. Both orders arrived with fries and when we mentioned the forgotten potatoes they were quickly brought out on the side. However, I think they both scraped the veggies aside anyway and went straight for the beef; although, I did hear the potatoes were good.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/50s_steak.jpg


DS14 chose the Golden Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Corn. This boy normally orders hamburger at every meal, so I was surprised he didn’t go with the Meatloaf, but he said the chicken was excellent and there wasn’t a crumb or corn kernel left when he was done.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/50sfriedchicken.jpg


Being ready for a bit of beef myself, I went with the Old Fashioned Pot Roast. It was great! The roast was very tender and the portion size was more than enough. The potatoes were yummy and the gravy was good too. I would definitely recommend it.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/50spotroast.jpg


For dessert, we couldn’t let the Dad’s Super Sundae go by without a taste, so DS14 ordered that. (Meanwhile our cousins from Louisiana at a nearby table were served their green beans re-plated with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Apparently, if you don’t eat your veggies, they may revisit you as dessert.)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/50ssupersundae.jpg


DH and DS13 were pretty full but still managed to find room for a couple of chocolate shakes and I went with the always-popular S’mores. (I think this was about half the size of the one I got five years ago, but it was still plenty!)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/50ssmores.jpg


And so, with bellies bulging we said goodnight to Mom and let the DDP take care of the check!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/50sprime.jpg


Please continue to stay tuned for Day 3….

[momof2disprincesses]

I love your reviews and the pictures make it even more enjoyable!

I can't wait to read more ... keep 'em coming!

:jumping2:

[Dustmouse]

Thanks to everyone for their replies! It's so much more fun when you know someone else is readin' and enjoyin'!

[Dustmouse]

Day 3 – Beyond Main Street and the traveling Cirque-us!

Rise and shine for a beautiful morning at the Magic Kingdom! DH still not sure why I keep photographing our meals insists that I take a picture of his homemade breakfast. (The eggs are cooked too hard for my taste and the toast is burnt, but hey, I didn’t have to cook it or eat it!)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/dadsbreakfast.jpg

The morning has a few tense moments when DH loses his prescription glasses on Space Mountain and says a few things that aren’t so child friendly. By 11:30am we’re ready to take a break and pop in to Pecos Bill. It was naturally getting very crowded, but DH again manages to secure a corner table upstairs. Remembering my bloated tummy yesterday at lunch, I decided to try lighter fare and ordered the Chicken Wrap. I actually enjoyed it more than I expected. Basically a chilled, grilled chicken salad wrapped up in a tortilla type shell. It was tasty, refreshing and plenty filling. The boys on the other hand did not heed my warning and all ordered Bacon Double Cheeseburgers. No complaints there either and the infamous Fixin’s bar was pretty darn cool! I got some of the grilled mushrooms just to eat on the side with my wrap.

Strolling back down Main Street towards our afternoon nap we were sucked into the Main Street Confectionary. (Has anyone else noticed the abnormal forces pulling you in off of the street from this place?) Well, I was fortunate to bump in to three lovely ladies at the Fudge counter who upon learning that we were from Texas began to serenade us with “The fudge is good, the fudge is great, deep in the heart of Texas!”

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/fudgesisters.jpg

Now I know you’ve all watched the Food Channel and seen those giant Mickey rice krispie treats, so we got one to share. That’s if it makes it back from the bus stop!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/mickeyricekrispie.jpg

The evening entertainment was the 6pm show of Cirque Du Soleil. DH was extremely excited to be going to Cirque and it did not disappoint. What’s a show without refreshments though? Luckily, they do have concessions and we got the refillable souvenir popcorn bucket and sodas. I can’t remember what the prices were, but it was considerably less than our local movie theater.

After the show, we dined with Earl over at his sandwich shop. Oh, I guess Earl is his title, not his name. Sorry. Again, another crowded restaurant but we were able to get a table and the line moved quickly. DH and DS13 both ordered The Original 1762, DS14 had The Earl’s Club, and I got The All American. They all had good flavor but I had actually expected them to have more stuff in them based on previous reviews. They weren’t skimpy, but nothing overly impressive either. With the dining plan, we had to choose between chips or dessert, so we got two chips, a cupcake and a cookie. We like places back home better, but for a CS it got the job done.

Having Food Channel flashbacks, the youngest and I headed off to Goofy’s Candy Kitchen to see what all the fuss was about. It took FOREVER to get our order, but it was really cool! DS13 ordered a caramel apple, dipped in milk chocolate, covered with Oreos and Reeses’ peanut butter cups, and drizzled in white chocolate. YUM! I ordered another apple for DS14 dipped in milk chocolate, covered with Butterfinger and drizzled with white chocolate and caramel. For me, it was the giant peanut butter fudge filled Oreo dipped in chocolate, drizzled with caramel and white chocolate, and then sprinkled with pecans. Sounds good…tastes better! The apples probably weighed three pounds each and were neatly packaged in boxes to go. I would absolutely recommend it; just allow a lot of time during peak hours.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/caramelapple.jpg

So, with our chocolate covered dreams we headed back to BCV for a good nights sleep!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for Day 4!

[ufgator]

Great reviews and pictures! Looking forward to the rest! Those smores look really good.

Do you remember what sauce that was on your salmon at Brown Derby? It looks good, and I've never been to that restaurant.

[gosoxb]

How did you find the service using the Dining Plan? I have seen a couple of comments that indicate servers weren't as attentive or friendly.

Thanks, great review!!

[swankybeth]

Great reviews and fabulous pictures! Thanks for taking the time to post, looking forward to more. :mickeybar

[MINNIEBOWSER]

Thanks for the reviews. I love your pictures, and that apple........AHHH!!!!!! I may need to try one on my next trip. :thumbsup2

[Dustmouse]

Do you remember what sauce that was on your salmon at Brown Derby? It looks good, and I've never been to that restaurant.

I think the menu said it was balsamic butter sauce. It was kinda tangy and mixed well with the sharpness of the cheese and sun dried tomatoes. Served on a bowl of polenta it worked well for me. (That fact that I was hungry helped too, since I had only eaten a bagel and Continental Airlines mini turkey sandwich up until that point.) :)

How did you find the service using the Dining Plan? I have seen a couple of comments that indicate servers weren't as attentive or friendly.

Service was hit and miss but I couldn't pinpoint it to the dining plan. When service seemed to be lacking it didn't appear that anyone around us was getting any better treatment either. CS CM's actually seemed to be the most helpful in making sure you knew what options you had. Despite some poor reviews recently, our service at Le Cellier was excellent! I would not hesitate to do the DDP again!

[Merylj]

Great reviews and love the pictures :thumbsup2 I`ll look forward to more :goodvibes

[Dustmouse]

Day 4 – Soarin’ to new adventure and Whispering for dinner

Today the DH took a break from cooking breakfast and visited the Beach Club Marketplace. He returned with two breakfast croissant sandwiches, a fresh fruit yogurt parfait and a box of Entemann’s chocolate doughnuts. Afraid to screw up any of his wife’s dining credits, he only used one snack credit for the doughnuts and paid OOP for the rest.

The parfait was VERY good! DH said it was made to order with fresh fruit of your choice (strawberries, blueberries or raspberries.) The yogurt had a hint of honey flavor and fruit was juicy and fresh. There was also fresh granola topping. I really enjoyed it! The breakfast sandwiches were reported tasty too and well, you can’t go wrong with a one-snack credit box of doughnuts, right?

After breakfast we headed to Epcot for the morning rope drop and cattle stampede towards Soarin’. (What an awesome attraction!) By 11:30am we were on the boat crossing the World Showcase Lagoon towards Japan.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/teppanyaki.jpg

I was excited to be surprising my family with a noon ADR at Teppanyaki! My youngest son is a budding young chef and my oldest is currently interested in all things Japanese, so I knew this was going to be a winner. After checking in, we were given a pager and seated in a large and nicely air-conditioned lobby. A few minutes before noon, most of the Teppan staff entered the lobby and conducted an opening ceremony, which really set the mood. We were quickly called and seated with a delightful family from Nashville, TN. A lovely server brought us warm towels to wash our hands with and warned that the table surface was hot and should not be touched. Drink orders were then taken and quickly delivered along with a sampling of seaweed salad. Surprisingly, DH really enjoyed it but the boys wouldn’t touch it. For appetizers, DH and I both ordered the garden salad and I convinced DS14 to try the Misoshiru soup. We both enjoyed the salad, which surprised me again, since DH is normally a ranch dressing die-hard. After some coaxing, DS14 tasted the soup and really liked it. (I personally didn’t care for it, but it was nice to see him expand his horizons.) Meanwhile, DS13 was still trying to convince our friends from Nashville that the seaweed salad came right from the bottom of the WS lagoon.

The chef then appeared and introduced himself. He was an older gentleman who was very likeable and good with the kids. DH, DS14 and I all ordered the steak and shrimp cooked medium and DS13 ordered the chicken. As the chef began to prepare the vegetables, Nashville quickly told him that they did not under any circumstances want mushrooms with theirs. GREAT, more for us! Which is exactly what the chef said. He continued to prepare veggies, noodles, meats and bean sprouts with flair and humor. Whenever he would miss a catch or something didn’t go just right he would say, “Boy, windy in here.” It was pretty funny! We were all served and everyone loved their entrée. I thought the fresh veggies were excellent and the meat was cooked medium as requested. For dessert, DH and DS14 both ordered the chestnut cake, DS13 got ice cream and I went with the fresh fruit.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/gingercake.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/pineapple.jpg

Splurging on two TS meals in one day, we headed to the Wilderness Lodge later that evening for a 6:40pm ADR at the Whispering Canyon Café. After marveling at the impressive lobby, we checked in and were seated immediately.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/WLlobby.jpg

The restaurant was hoppin’ and we immediately joined in on a round of the Hokey Pokey. Our server arrived shortly for drink orders and tossed napkins and straws over her shoulder at us as she walked away. Hmmm…so that’s how it’s gonna be, eh? She turned out to have a dry sense of humor that was pretty comical at times. DH & DS14 eager to get started ordered the Nachos while DS13 ordered the fried chicken wings. Everything you’ve heard about WCC’s nachos is true! The portion size is huge and could easily be the entrée or appetizer for four. Needless to say, we had lots of nachos left over. It’s a shame really because they were good! DS13 has really become a wing connoisseur lately and pronounced the wings as excellent. Since I planned early to order The Skillet, I was given a salad and cornbread. It was great and I had to fight off the family for the cornbread. I actually ended up telling our server that the cornbread thief was loose and stole mine which didn’t really get me much sympathy, but it did get me a second helping of cornbread. For an entrée, DH on what now seems like an all beef diet, orders the NY strip steak, as does DS13. They were both impressed with this meal and DH named this the best steak at WDW. The skillet was great all the way around and DS14 was very happy with the meatloaf. About that time, our charming server got really tired of refilling our glasses every 10 minutes and brought us out something a little more substantial!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/bigdrink-1.jpg

The kids thought it was hilarious and didn’t feel left out for not having 100 ketchup bottles on the table. For dessert, the boys enjoyed chocolate shakes and I went for the kill with the Kahlua-flavored chocolate cake. No way I could get through it or it would have killed me!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/kahluacake.jpg

Overall, our experience was good. The food was an A+, the atmosphere was an A, and service was a B. I would definitely go back!

Stay tuned for Episode 5 – Beaches & Scream and Le Cellier, eh?

[disneynewbee]

You ate at alot of great places, thanks for the reviews. Can't wait to read the rest. :thumbsup2

[AussieAngel]

Love the reviews! Can't wait to hear what you thought of Le Cellier!

If you don't mind me asking... how much was the giant Mickey rice crispie?

[steelmagnolia]

Thank you for sharing your reviews and pictures. Both are great! The Kahlua cake picture brought back great memories and your Prime Time pictures have me rethinking my options! :thanks:

[Mom2DS]

Dining reviews with pics are the best! Thanks so much for sharing yours. We're eating at some of the same places in August, so I'm happy to hear the great reviews. Now bring on the next installment! :cheer2:

[budbeerlady]

Thanks for the pics, that really helps with our choices and i love to see others meals!!!

[theycallmered]

Ready and waiting for Episode 5. Can it get any better?! :thumbsup2

[Dustmouse]

Love the reviews! Can't wait to hear what you thought of Le Cellier!

If you don't mind me asking... how much was the giant Mickey rice crispie?

Hey Aussie, thanks for the feedback. The rice krispie we had was $9.99 but you can also get one without chocolate for a little less or another one with a chocolate impression of Mickey's face "glued" on top for a few dollars more. Ours was excellent and in my opinion worth the $!

[tbthomps]

Your reviews are fabulous and the pictures made me hungry!!

Glad you had a great trip....I'm looking forward to trying the DDP in September.

Thanks for taking the time to report!!! popcorn:: :yay: :cheer2:

[flamestarrdust]

Your reviews are terrific! I can't wait to read more! :thumbsup2

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Great reviews!!! I can't wait for #5, keep them coming.

[SassyLassy]

Day 4

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/teppanyaki.jpg

I was excited to be surprising my family with a noon ADR at Teppanyaki! My youngest son is a budding young chef and my oldest is currently interested in all things Japanese, so I knew this was going to be a winner.
Good for you!! They must've been so surprised! I love it when you get the great surprise face!



A few minutes before noon, most of the Teppan staff entered the lobby and conducted an opening ceremony, which really set the mood.
What do they do for the opening ceremony?



We were quickly called and seated with a delightful family from Nashville, TN. A lovely server brought us warm towels to wash our hands with and warned that the table surface was hot and should not be touched.
Is the only place to sit at the u shape Benny Hanna style type tables or are there regular tables or do they have typical Japanese seating (on the floor)?




The chef then appeared and introduced himself. Whenever he would miss a catch or something didn’t go just right he would say, “Boy, windy in here.”

:rotfl2: :lmao: Too Funny!! lol

We were all served and everyone loved their entrée. I thought the fresh veggies were excellent and the meat was cooked medium as requested.

Last question I promise!! :woohoo: lol Was the food dry? I heard this many of times and this is the one thing I worry about!




Great reviews! I have enjoyed all of them and the character that you put into the reviews!

Thanks for your help! :cheer2: :cheer2:

[Dustmouse]

I was excited to be surprising my family with a noon ADR at Teppanyaki! My youngest son is a budding young chef and my oldest is currently interested in all things Japanese, so I knew this was going to be a winner.
Good for you!! They must've been so surprised! I love it when you get the great surprise face!

It was great! It's tough to please all three of them at once, but I did it!

A few minutes before noon, most of the Teppan staff entered the lobby and conducted an opening ceremony, which really set the mood.
What do they do for the opening ceremony?

It wasn't a big deal, but we weren't expecting it so it was just one of those added bits of detail that Disney does so well. (Even though that restaurant isn't owned by Disney.) Basically, the servers and chefs entered the lobby and stood somewhat reverently, a short welcome was given, everyone bowed and the restaurant was opened. It just brought us out of theme park mode and into a new realm.

We were quickly called and seated with a delightful family from Nashville, TN. A lovely server brought us warm towels to wash our hands with and warned that the table surface was hot and should not be touched.
Is the only place to sit at the u shape Benny Hanna style type tables or are there regular tables or do they have typical Japanese seating (on the floor)?
I think the tables are your only choice. Good thing because they would have had to bring in a crane to get me off of the floor! :rotfl2:

We were all served and everyone loved their entrée. I thought the fresh veggies were excellent and the meat was cooked medium as requested.

Last question I promise!! lol Was the food dry? I heard this many of times and this is the one thing I worry about!
Not at all!!! The veggies were fresh and delicious and the meat was tender and juicy. We ordered our steak medium which was pink in the middle and perfect for our taste. ]

Hope that helps!

[scanne]

Great reviews! We're eating at some of the places you did next month and you've got us all hungry! :chewy: :darth: :yoda: :hmghost:

[dianemb]

Great reviews. We're going to eat at Wcc, Teppankyi and 50's PT this trip also. They're going to be all new for us so good to hear you had good meals.

[Liliyana]

Eeeee! I love your reviews. Between the giant Mickey treat and that uber-candy-coated apple, I'm kicking myself for not having anything sweet here at work :furious:

[arizonacolbys]

Great reviews - I love all the pics to go with your reviews! Can't wait to read more! :) :thumbsup2

[glennsgirl762]

Great reviews. I love the way you tell your stories, can't wait for the rest! Love all the pictures, you have a great looking family! :thumbsup2

[oogie boogie]

Awesome reviews and pics! Great Job!! I'm jelaous!!!

[Deweysgirl]

Absolutely one of the best reviews I've read! Thank you so much for all of the little details and the fantastic pictures to accompany your report. :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

[tinkerbeth]

Amazing trip report! Can't wait to eat some of those pictures! :)

Beth :laundy:

[scoutsmom99]

Great reviews and pics! Thanks for sharing :)

[we3disneygo]

:wave: great report and love the pic's --thanks!

[Kaycee]

Great reviews, and amazing pictures. I can't wait to read, and see, the rest! :)

[robinb]

Thanks so much for your great review and pictures! I want to change all my ARs around now :).

[PrincessAurora]

Great Pictures - more please...

[Dustmouse]

Day 5 - Beaches & Scream and Le Cellier, eh?

It was starting to catch up with us. Even the kids were tired and voted to sleep in rather than heading to Blizzard Beach at daybreak. Short on supplies this morning, DH visited the BC Marketplace for a dozen eggs, OJ, donuts and chocolate milk. What a handy place this turned out to be and the prices weren’t bad either! Restocked and back in action, we had breakfast in the room and then decided to have some different water fun by renting boats from Bayside Marina. All that sun and fun can give you an appetite, so we headed over to Beaches and Cream. The posted wait time was 30 minutes, but it ended up being more like 45-50! (Where’s a FastPass when you need one? And why don’t they expand this restaurant? They could build out towards the arcade and have twice as many tables.) But I digress, DH and I waited outside while the boys poured their financial support into the arcade. Did you know you could use your room key to get arcade credits to play games? Ya, neither did I until we checked out and looked at the room charges. Anyway, as we were waiting, two families arrived together with small children and added their name to the growing waiting list. One family had two beautiful daughters, but one of them was crying and generally upset about life. Mom tried the old “Do you want me to take you back to the room?” trick, but the crying just went on. Big crocodile tears and lots of sobbing followed. (I think it was their first day and the kids were tired and hungry, but that’s just my guess.) Well, mom gets fed up with the bawling and picks up daughter to whisk her back to the room or at least somewhere out of public view and daughter gets the death grip on the arms of the chair. Daughter is screaming, chair is flailing; mom is desperately trying to pry it loose from her fingers. Poor dear, I’ve been there myself! Luckily, our table is ready and we are seated next to the jukebox.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/beaches1.jpg

DS13 and I hatch a plan to share a meal so we have room for dessert, so we order 3 double cheeseburgers, fries and onion rings for the table. We watch as the table beside us tackles the Kitchen Sink and consider canceling our order and getting four more spoons! The burgers arrive pretty quickly and they are great! The double burgers are BIG and even with DS and I splitting we are too full for dessert. The horror! Hakuna matata, we know they are open until 11pm.

Later that afternoon, we head back to Epcot for a little shopping in the WS and dinner at Le Cellier.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/lecellier.jpg

We arrive at 6:20pm for our 6:30 ADR and are seated very promptly. Our server is delightful and explains that the dining room is split up into provinces just like Canada and that we are currently in the province of Ontario, which is where she is from. Our drink orders were taken and arrived quickly, which is a big plus in DH’s book. For appetizers, DH ordered the Steakhouse Caesar salad.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/caesarsalad.jpg

On recommendation from our server, I ordered the Shrimp Cocktail w/wasabi slaw. It was excellent and so much better than the one at 50’s Prime Time. I thought the presentation was good and the flavor was great.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/shrimpcocktail.jpg

The boys wanted to pass on appetizers, but I convinced them to try the Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup. They both had the same opinion….”give me some tortilla chips and it would make a decent dip, but other than that we’ll pass.” Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all. I tried it and thought it was good, but was glad I went with the shrimp cocktail.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/cheddarsoup.jpg

Service continued to be good with our server checking on us periodically and giving us time to finish our appetizers before asking about entrees. Again, I took her suggestion and ordered the Mushroom Filet Mignon. The steak was good, but I just couldn’t get excited about the risotto. I am not well versed on risotto, but for me this was kind of thick and starchy. The fried parsnips on top were different, but didn’t add that much to it.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/mushroomfilet-1.jpg

DS13 ordered the 7 oz. Filet with maple bbq sauce cooked medium. He likes his steak to be pink in the middle which is what you get in Texas if you order medium; however, at Disney it was much more rare. I mentioned this to our server and she confirmed that Disney medium is Texas rare. She suggested trying medium-well and it turned out to be perfect! (Wish I would have asked about that back on Day 2.)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/bbqfilet.jpg

DS14 ordered the Seared King Salmon with corn, corn, and more corn. (Actually, it is served with sweet corn, succotash and corn puree.) He said it was very good and would definitely order it again. He really seemed to enjoy the veggies.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/salmon.jpg

DH ordered the 14 oz. New York Strip cooked medium, which he enjoyed but not as much as WCC the night before.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/14ozfilet.jpg

Again we had prompt refills and time to enjoy our entrees before being asked about dessert. To my amazement, the boys decided to share the Chef’s Signature Dessert plate. (That’s right, I said they shared something for once! This truly is a magical place!)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/chefsdessert.jpg

DH confessed that he has been pining for the Maple Crème Brulee since our last visit in 2001. I noticed that he started ordering it at various restaurants over the past few years, but I didn’t know he was trying to find one he thought was as good as Le Cellier. He was not disappointed and truly enjoyed this dessert.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/cremebrulee.jpg

Fortunately for him, crème brulee is not my sort of thing but the Strawberries and Balsamic Ice Cream was. It had a butter cookie on the bottom, then a scoop of ice cream, then another cookie, then a dollop of whipped cream that was so thick and rich I thought it was ice cream. All that was swimming in a pool of strawberries and cream. YUM!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/strawberriesandbalsamic.jpg

Meanwhile the little girl at the table beside us ordered this whimsical concoction and it was so cool looking I just had to take a picture. (DH thinks I may have crossed the line there by starting to photograph other people’s food. Oh well!)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/kidsdessert.jpg

Time to pay the check and head out to secure a spot for Illuminations. We camped out on the bridge going from Canada towards France and met another wonderful family from Nashville. Meanwhile, down below us they were setting up a beautiful reception on that little terrace that juts out on the water. DS13, being a nosey kid, went around to peak at the reception area and trade pins with the CM. Swayed by his boyish charm, she tips him off that the lower viewing area in front of the reception terrace will open to guests after the bridal party is seated. Cool! We score a perfect view for Illuminations and save a seat for our new friends from Nashville. Halfway through Illuminations, I looked up over my shoulder and there stood the most beautiful bride and her handsome groom hand in hand watching the fireworks. It was breathtaking!

After the show, DH and DS14 took the short walk back to BCV while DS13 and I meandered back past the arcade and Beaches & Cream. Applying the “we’re on vacation, so why not splurge” theory, we decided at about 10:45pm to hop in the To Go line at Beaches. We got a chocolate shake, fries and some mint chocolate chip in a waffle cone. Mmmm. We sat outside on the patio and looked out over Stormalong Bay as the restaurant closed up for the night. Enjoying some quiet time with my boy, we noticed someone coming up the walk. Bless their hearts; it was the bride and groom from the earlier reception. He was in a full tuxedo, sweating bullets, exhausted beyond belief carrying the train of her dress. She still looked beautiful, but was very hot and tired. The groom had the most pitiful look on his face as he stopped near our table and sighed, “They’re closed?” Oh ya’ll, it was so sad! Poor things probably hadn’t eaten any real food all day and were running on pure adrenaline. He just looked at me, asked how to get into the hotel and crawled back down the sidewalk. Oh to be young and in love…

Stay tuned for Episode 6 – Bad Cubans and the Kungaloosh!

[ShellyBelly]

Great reviews and pictures! I am enjoying it very much!!

[robinb]

DS13 ordered the 7 oz. Filet with maple bbq sauce cooked medium. He likes his steak to be pink in the middle which is what you get in Texas if you order medium; however, at Disney it was much more rare. I mentioned this to our server and she confirmed that Disney medium is Texas rare. She suggested trying medium-well and it turned out to be perfect! (Wish I would have asked about that back on Day 2.)

"Texas rare"? Who knew that Texas has it's own steak cooking system? I always order Medium-rare and my steaks are always perfect at WDW. Chared on the outside and pinky-red on the inside. Yum!

[Princess4Eeyore]

Thanks again for sharing your wonderful pics with all of us! Your reviews are really awesome! :goodvibes :goodvibes

[Dustmouse]

"Texas rare"? Who knew that Texas has it's own steak cooking system? I always order Medium-rare and my steaks are always perfect at WDW. Chared on the outside and pinky-red on the inside. Yum!


Well, Texans do alot of things differently! :goodvibes I thought medium-rare was as you described, but that medium was just pink not red. We were getting more red than pink.

[cocowum]

More, more, more :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:
Great reviews, can't wait for the next installment. :banana: :banana:

[flamestarrdust]

I love your reviews! Can't wait to read the rest! :sunny:

[tammy]

:cheer2: Outstanding reviews. Loved the comment made by you DH about you crossing the line in photographing other people's food. :lmao: :lmao:

Thank you for your reviews.

[schatterjee]

Loving your reviews and photos!

[Liliyana]

To my amazement, the boys decided to share the Chef’s Signature Dessert plate. (That’s right, I said they shared something for once! This truly is a magical place!)

On the DDP, can one person order that dessert sampler plate, or does it have to be shared by two? Not that I think I'd require THAT much :blush: but I'd sure love to try all three. That would be impossible if I was sharing with dbf, as he is the fastest eater I've ever witnessed in my life (and I am probably among the slowest!).

[theycallmered]

Service continued to be good with our server checking on us periodically and giving us time to finish our appetizers before asking about entrees. Again, I took her suggestion and ordered the Mushroom Filet Mignon. The steak was good, but I just couldn’t get excited about the risotto. I am not well versed on risotto, but for me this was kind of thick and starchy. The fried parsnips on top were different, but didn’t add that much to it.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/mushroomfilet-1.jpg

Stay tuned for Episode 6 – Bad Cubans and the Kungaloosh!

Risotto is essentially a method of cooking rice. Basically it entails cooking the rice very slowly with constant stirring all the while adding stock at a very slow rate. This method allows for the starches of the rice to develop and thereby become creamy and, for what some consider, very rich and succulent. Perhaps you're just not a rissotto person :confused3 , which is fine and we'll still like ya! :rotfl2: :goodvibes :thumbsup2

Great report so far, keep it up!! :cool1:

[dvc at last !]

Dustmouse,

Love the reviews and the pictures. Keep it coming !

[3DisneyBuggs]

Terrible reviews- they make me wish my trip was sooner!! Great job, keep em coming!

[Dustmouse]

On the DDP, can one person order that dessert sampler plate, or does it have to be shared by two? Not that I think I'd require THAT much :blush: but I'd sure love to try all three. That would be impossible if I was sharing with dbf, as he is the fastest eater I've ever witnessed in my life (and I am probably among the slowest!).

Yep, the dessert sampler has to be shared. You could try ordering it while DBF was in the bathroom and then eating really fast! (FYI, that is the only dessert that we found that isn't a single serving.)

[Dustmouse]

Risotto is essentially a method of cooking rice. Basically it entails cooking the rice very slowly with constant stirring all the while adding stock at a very slow rate. This method allows for the starches of the rice to develop and thereby become creamy and, for what some consider, very rich and succulent. Perhaps you're just not a rissotto person :confused3 , which is fine and we'll still like ya! :rotfl2: :goodvibes :thumbsup2

Great report so far, keep it up!! :cool1:

Thanks for the risotto lesson. I know Chef Ramsey on Hell's Kitchen is very particular about his risotto, so I was looking forward to it. I wanted to like it. Really, I did. Thanks for not hating me. :hug: :)

[swankybeth]

Great review and pix! You're making me excited for our Le Cellier meal in December. :thumbsup2

[averill94]

Well I ahave eaten dinner and had a weight watchers pop for dessert and this review has made me hungry!
That salmon from HBD sounds great - everything sounds great.
Thanks for the report and pics :thumbsup2

[DisneycrazedX6]

Oh no....I just read the five pages and find there is no more.....

Great reviews and pictures but I need MORE MORE MORE!!!!! :wave2:

[MINNIEBOWSER]

I am SOOOOOOOO enjoying your reviews!!!! :thumbsup2
Your pictures are GREAT. I cannot wait to hear and see the rest.

[momofdbsdc]

Awesome reviews!!!! T :thumbsup2 hanks for sharing!

[teribell]

and all the pictures.

Day 3 –

DH still not sure why I keep photographing our meals insists that I take a picture of his homemade breakfast.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/dadsbreakfast.jpg



Too Funny! :rotfl:

[KTSMOM]

I love your reviews...keep them coming! :)

[Tink9748]

Very good reviews. We have chosen many of the same restuarants you have reviewed which is awesome. Keep em coming. :banana:

[Corinne]

Day 5 - Beaches & Scream and Le Cellier, eh?

All that sun and fun can give you an appetite, so we headed over to Beaches and Cream. The posted wait time was 30 minutes, but it ended up being more like 45-50! (Where’s a FastPass when you need one? And why don’t they expand this restaurant? They could build out towards the arcade and have twice as many tables.)

Trust me, that has been the million dollar question for YEARS!!!!!!!!!

Loving your report!!!!!!!!!!! :sunny:

[Corinne]

Meanwhile the little girl at the table beside us ordered this whimsical concoction and it was so cool looking I just had to take a picture. (DH thinks I may have crossed the line there by starting to photograph other people’s food. Oh well!)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/kidsdessert.jpg!

OK now that is FUNNY! :rotfl:

BTW, a question about 50's....we have been there a million times (ok, maybe a little less than THAT) ;) but, we always order the fried chicken and it comes with green beans. Did you ask for the corn?

[BeadyLady]

I've been reading and reading, and hoping to get to the next review, but alas, I'm at the end - for now! I've been taking notes from these wonderful reviews and will use the info to set up our ADRs. popcorn:: Thank you! :dumbo:

[heather360]

Thanks for the all of the great reviews. I'm just loving all of your pictures as well. :thumbsup2

[Booknut]

Great review, loved the photos! :thumbsup2

[Albertan mom]

Great thread.

That 'whimsical creation' the girl at the next table had....what is it called?

[Dustmouse]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read my review and comment! I really appreciate all of your feedback! :goodvibes

BTW, a question about 50's....we have been there a million times (ok, maybe a little less than THAT) ;) but, we always order the fried chicken and it comes with green beans. Did you ask for the corn?

Funny you should ask. As I was writing the review, I was verifying the names of the entrees off of allearsnet and realized they list green beans with the chicken, but we were served corn. I asked DS and he thinks the server asked him what he preferred. I don't remember, but I'm certain he wouldn't have eaten the green beans.

[Dustmouse]

That 'whimsical creation' the girl at the next table had....what is it called?


I'm not sure, but I think it was Campfire S'mores from the children's menu. I thought it was really cool!

[NMW]

I enjoyed reading your reviews! they were awesome!

[Ellester]

Thanks for the risotto lesson. I know Chef Ramsey on Hell's Kitchen is very particular about his risotto, so I was looking forward to it. I wanted to like it. Really, I did. Thanks for not hating me. :hug: :)

My DH doesn't like risotto either. He thinks it usually tastes like old sock flavored rice that's been cooked with too much water! I can take it or leave it, but his opinion means I sure don't cook it at home!

Loving the report. It's getting me all excited for our upcoming trip!

[princess_amesy]

i love these reviews!!! keep 'em coming! :banana: :thumbsup2

[stacy347]

Wonderful reviews ~ thank you so much for sharing!! :thumbsup2

[JulyGirl]

(DH thinks I may have crossed the line there by starting to photograph other people’s food. Oh well!)


:rotfl2:

[gems_smiling]

Great reviews and pics. Thank you for sharing.

[mla973]

Great reviews - one of the best I've seen here on the DIS. :thumbsup2

I wondered if you wouldn't mind sharing the cost for the candied/chocolate apples from Goofy's Candy Kitchen. This sounds so fun, and I can't wait to bring a few home for friends and family.

Thanks!

[QUOTE=Dustmouse]Day 3 – Beyond Main Street and the traveling Cirque-us!

Having Food Channel flashbacks, the youngest and I headed off to Goofy’s Candy Kitchen to see what all the fuss was about. It took FOREVER to get our order, but it was really cool! DS13 ordered a caramel apple, dipped in milk chocolate, covered with Oreos and Reeses’ peanut butter cups, and drizzled in white chocolate. YUM! I ordered another apple for DS14 dipped in milk chocolate, covered with Butterfinger and drizzled with white chocolate and caramel. For me, it was the giant peanut butter fudge filled Oreo dipped in chocolate, drizzled with caramel and white chocolate, and then sprinkled with pecans. Sounds good…tastes better! The apples probably weighed three pounds each and were neatly packaged in boxes to go. I would absolutely recommend it; just allow a lot of time during peak hours.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/caramelapple.jpg
QUOTE]

[Dustmouse]

Episode 6 – Bad Cubans and the Kungaloosh!

It’s Saturday and the final Star Wars weekend! None of the guys know what’s in store; they just know that Mom wants to be at MGM before 9am! DH, unmotivated to cook breakfast, makes another trip to the BC Marketplace. I pass on an offer for another yogurt parfait afraid it will just slow things down. I’ll just finish off the rest of the Mickey rice krispie treat, the breakfast of DIS champions! DH and DS14 enjoy breakfast sandwiches, DS13 has a donut and we’re off and running! Well, we’re off and walking at least. Had we run we probably wouldn’t have missed the friendship boat to MGM and had to wait another 20 minutes, but that’s how our luck has been all week with the boats. We arrived about 9:15am and two lively Storm Troopers above the entrance gates greeted the boys.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/stormtroopers.jpg

They thought that was really cool! We hit the major attractions and positioned ourselves for the 11:15am Star Wars parade. DS13 says his tummy is growling and is now ready for a snack, so we make a quick trip to a nearby food cart for churros and Mickey bars!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/mickeyicecreambar.jpg

We enjoy our snacks and a great view on Hollywood Boulevard of the parade.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/jedimickey.jpg

I had planned to visit Pizza Planet for lunch but with the parade still making it’s way down Commissary Lane and all of the extra Star Wars fans over in that area, we found ourselves in the large and nicely air conditioned ABC Commissary. I had read the reviews and had no intention of visiting this restaurant, but it was getting REALLY hot out and DH was starting to fade. He nabbed a table near one of the many TV’s and proceeded to watch the endless ABC series loop. Standing in line, I realized there really wasn’t anything on the menu that sounded appealing to me. Well, it was too late and so I decided to try the Cuban sandwich.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/cubansandwich.jpg

It was a Panini type sandwich with ham, cheese, pickles and mustard served with banana chips on the side. Not my cup of tea! I ate the first half that tasted more like a pickled grilled cheese sandwich. The banana chips were ok but I’d rather have Ruffles any day. The second half had a lot more ham in it, but I was really tired of it by then and pushed the rest aside.

DS14 ordered the cheeseburger and fries, which he ate with no complaints. (I don’t think I’ve ever heard him complain about a cheeseburger though.)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/ABCcheesburger.jpg

DS13 went for the chicken nuggets on the kids’ menu and said that the fries were good but the nuggets could have used two more minutes in the microwave.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/abcchickennuggets.jpg

DH tried the fish and chips that were nothing special. He ended up trying the Cuban sandwich and said he wished he would have ordered that instead.

Moving on to dessert, we had the chocolate mousse and strawberry parfait. They were both quite good.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/chocolatemousse.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/strawberryparfait.jpg

A few more rides, some pin trading and then back to the room for a break from the heat. A nearby wildfire had caused the air to be heavy with smoke that morning, but it was clearing nicely by the afternoon.

Rested and refreshed, we headed over to the Polynesian Resort for a 6:30pm ADR at ‘Ohana. The evening torch lighting ceremony was underway and so we were stopped at the entrance with an opportunity to watch a little island entertainment. It was a fun experience and just another example of the magical detail that makes WDW so great!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/polydancer.jpg

Upstairs we went to check in for dinner and request a window seat. It was way too early for Wishes, but I wanted to enjoy the lovely views of the Poly. DH and I took a seat in the waiting area near the bar while the boys headed off to the gift shop. Allured by the ambience of the tropics, DH and I decide to order a fancy umbrella drink. He immediately says he’s going to order a daiquiri, but I needed some time to look at the multi page bar menu. DH starts getting impatient, so just as I’m about to order a regular old boring margarita I spy the Kungaloosh! You’ve read about it, you’ve heard about it, but have you tried it? No, I say! Our drink orders arrive a few minutes later just as our table is ready. We gather the family and are escorted by our new cousin to a great table by the window.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/polyview.jpg

Within moments our server is there for drink orders and gives us a brief summary of the menu. (We ate here on our last trip and it was a unanimous favorite.) The Kungaloosh is starting to affect me and so DS13 and I decide to join in on the free hula lessons that were being given. When we return to the table the wontons, salad, shrimp and wings are being enjoyed. Distracted by more fun and Hawaiian songs in the dining room I turn back to the table to find the potatoes and stir fried vegetables have arrived. Wow, that was fast, maybe a little too fast! The meat skewers start arriving too and I’ve barely had a chance to try the appetizers. We’re being tag teamed by the wait staff and while being very attentive it all starts feeling a little rushed. The food is great though and we enjoy the often-maligned scalloped potatoes. The wontons were fair, but the peanut dipping sauce was great. I ended up stealing the whole bowl to dip my steak in to. All of the skewers were tasty and we had no complaints about the meat being dried out as others have mentioned. I thought the pork and steak were particularly good.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/ohanakitchen.jpg

I knew dessert would be a big hit, as DH loves bread pudding and bananas foster. He was initially disappointed that we only had once choice for dessert, but when it arrived it was love at first sight. It was delicious and we all enjoyed it very much!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/breadpudding.jpg

After dinner, we hopped the monorail to the MK for Spectro and Wishes. We lucked into a perfect spot in Frontierland to watch Spectro and then were conveniently close to Aloha Isle for a Dole Whip float. It was yummy, but I was still full from dinner and didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have otherwise. That’s okay; we can always try it again tomorrow.

And so, from Wookies to Wishes we said goodnight to the castle and thanked God and Walt Disney for another wonderful day!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/castle4.jpg

Still to come – Episode 7: The Birthday Girl and the Hoop Dee Doo

[BeadyLady]

thanks again! another great read :cool1:

[Deb loves Disney]

Like others have said in previous posts.....I have sooooo enjoyed reading your adventures in WDW and can't wait for the next installment :thumbsup2

From your writing style it sounds like your family is really fun to hang out with....can we come along next time :blush:

Oh, and thank you, thank you for all of the pictures, I think it really helps bring us closer to actually being there.

Waiting with excitement for the rest..... popcorn::

[thatduffgirl]

I agree with the rest, your photos speak of a lot of affection and love in your family, your photos and stories are irresistable. Disney should pay you a stipend for marketing their product! :thumbsup2

[princessgirls]

Dustmust -

Your reviews have been absolutely, handsdown wonderful!!! :thumbsup2 I am contemplating the DDP for my November trip (staying at a DVC resort and forgot about the change this Spring that now allows DVCers to 'buy' DDP) so I decided to do some 'research' when I stumbled upon your thread.

Really looking forward to the HDDR review. I haven't been there since 1996 (before children) and cannot wait to bring my girls (6 & 3). I somewhat forget the menu so I am anxiously waiting to see the pictures!!! popcorn:: Keep sharing.

You've done a great job with your reports!!!!!!!! Pamela

[wilma-bride]

More, more, more - fantastic :worship: :worship: :worship:

[disneyfansx5]

Awesome reviews! The pics really make it. :thumbsup2

[Snoopygirl]

Thanks for the great meal reviews. They're great! We'll be there in Sept. and have some of the same restaraunts picked that you went to so I'm really enjoying hearing about them.

[disneytraveler]

I really like your reviews and pictures. I will be going to Brown Derby and Fantasmic also .I am glad you did a rewiew there. The 50;s cafe is also a great place. :goodvibes

[rdsx28]

Awesome reviews, a lovely family, and a few laughs thrown in as well as some great pictures! Thanks so much for sharing! I can't wait for our November trip!!! :thumbsup2

[rdsx28]

Waiting for the next installment............... :rolleyes1

[Getaway2006]

Thanks so much for posting your reviews. I've really enjoyed reading them.

:)

[Wazzo]

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/mickeyricekrispie.jpg


Ooh! How much did this cost??

[plgrn]

Thanks for taking the time to post. Very well written and the photos wow :thumbsup2

[pixiechick]

I just saw your report this morning. What a terrific read!

Love the reviews and pictures. I agree with the others about your writing style, really enjoyable to read.

How did your DH make out with the glasses issue?

and for what it's worth, I don't like risotto either! :thumbsup2

[ShellyBelly]

Ooh! How much did this cost??

I was wondering the same thing....were you able to use a snack credit on the DDP or was it OOP?

[PureTcrazy]

Enjoyed your reviews, especially with the pics! Thanks

[nurseypoo5]

Yep, the dessert sampler has to be shared. You could try ordering it while DBF was in the bathroom and then eating really fast! (FYI, that is the only dessert that we found that isn't a single serving.)


well...about that dessert sampler at Le Cellier...i wonder how big a PIG i would be to order that and pay OOP for a chocolate mouse for the son! HAHAHA


no, im serious.

[Dustmouse]

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/mickeyricekrispie.jpg

Ooh! How much did this cost??

I was wondering the same thing....were you able to use a snack credit on the DDP or was it OOP?


Hey all, thanks for reading my little review and taking time to ask questions! This yummy treat was $9.99 and therefore not a DDP snack option. They do have a smaller version though that is available as a snack credit. The large one comes in three varieties; plain, chocolate ears only or a complete chocolate face. The plain one is a little cheaper, maybe $7.99 and the full chocolate is a little more. Our was REALLY good!

[Dustmouse]

How did your DH make out with the glasses issue?


We never saw them again! The CM working Space Mountain told us that we would have to check back at City Hall after the park closed that night and the ride was cleaned. They said if we did not claim them that night everything would be transferred to a centralized lost and found the following day. We did check back at park closing but they had not received anything from Space Mountain yet. Since we did not have a car we opted not to follow up with centralized lost and found. Luckily, DH had just ordered new glasses before we left home that would be ready when we returned.

My DS lost a favorite pin on the same ride later in the week and we again checked back at City Hall at closing which was 2am that day. They told us that Space Mountain generally doesn't return items for 1-2 hours after closing and that we could check back anytime the next day. :confused3

[Dustmouse]

well...about that dessert sampler at Le Cellier...i wonder how big a PIG i would be to order that and pay OOP for a chocolate mouse for the son! HAHAHA


no, im serious.

If you've been on a low carb diet since April, I say you GO FOR IT! :cool1:

[oybolshoi]

Have really enjoyed your reviews, especially the pictures! Looking forward to the rest. :goodvibes

[DarlingDumbo]

More! :worship: More!:worship: More! :worship:

I'm really enjoying your reviews!

[glennsgirl762]

Love your reviews! :thumbsup2 Waiting for more! :)

[Dustmouse]

Episode 7: The Birthday Girl and the Hoop Dee Doo

Happy Birthday to me…Happy Birthday to me…Happy Birthday I’m at Disney…Happy Birthday to me!!!

Is there any better place to wake up on your birthday than at Walt Disney World? What could today have in store that might surpass what we’ve already done? Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s perhaps! I was SO excited to be celebrating my special day with the Big Cheese himself! The boys were up and ready around 9am, so we took a cab ride over to the Contemporary resort for our 9:30am ADR. The restaurant was extremely busy on this beautiful Sunday morning and we had to stand in line several minutes just to get to the check in desk. There were people everywhere but we managed to find some seating around the corner near a lounge type area. The chairs were comfortable and looked out to an incredible view.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/contemporary.jpg

We waited for about 20 minutes before deciding to go and have our family photo taken. (I don’t remember anyone mentioning that we needed to do this prior to being seated, but you do or the photos will not be ready before you have to leave.) Anyway, we continued to wait while all sorts of fun and frivolity was going on in the dining room. Growing impatient and very hungry we were seated at about 10:30am. Our table was located on the opposite side of the restaurant from the check in desk in a small, elevated room. Our server said this was a good table because the characters would be entering and exiting from this room. We quickly ordered milk, OJ and chocolate milk and spotted Minnie Mouse herself making her way up the stairs and into our area. She stopped briefly at one table and then disappeared through the back door. No worries I thought, she’ll be back in a jiffy. The guys were anxious to get started on the buffet, so we all headed out in different directions to hunt and gather. We returned with plates heaped high full of eggs, bacon, sausage, Mickey waffles, fresh fruit, biscuits and gravy, cheese blintzes, donuts and more! Yum, yum, yummy! We had barely made a dent in our breakfast when our server appeared with an adorable character placemat and a birthday cupcake complete with a lit birthday candle.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/birthdaycupcake.jpg

Wow, how cool! But I’m ready to see the BIG CHEESE! No sooner had I picked up my fork again and Chip stopped by to say hello and wish me a Happy Birthday! Chip was great! He asked me several times how old I was and after I finally told him, he promptly went to the neighboring table and began trying to tell them. They had no idea what was going on, but I flew out of my chair to remind Chip of his promise not to tell! The kids thought it was pretty funny and so did I!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/chipboys.jpg

We were able to get some good photos, but I will say that I felt cramped up against the wall at our table and had problems getting good character photos. Back to our food, which was now only lukewarm. I enjoyed the blintzes and the other standard breakfast fare. DS13 got a bagel and cream cheese, but didn’t toast the bagel so it wasn’t very good. DH had the omelet and said it was ok, but not great. They went through several Mickey waffles and lots of bacon. Minnie emerged from hiding and only stopped by for a split second for a picture with me, but none with the kids.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/minnieme.jpg

I was disappointed, but she was hot footin’ it out to the main area for the napkin dance. After the napkin waving subsided, I finally spotted Mickey on his way to visit me. (Yes, he was coming specifically to see me. I’m sure of it. J) Well, unfortunately Mickey was in a bit of a rush too and we didn’t really get the time with him that I had hoped. I really felt like this area of the restaurant was not the best for character interaction despite what our server said. They all seemed very busy coming or going from the main dining room. All except my pal Chip who came by a second time with Dale and were by far the most engaging characters of the morning. (Thanks Chip!)

The family photos arrived and being a sucker, I paid the $20+ for an average looking, character-less photo of the family. We settled the check and tipped our server for his attentiveness even though it was a buffet. Overall, I was a bit disappointed in this meal, but that may be due to my high expectations.

We followed up by visiting the pin trading station and then hopped the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom. (I wasn’t crazy about the Contemporary’s décor, but it sure is cool to be able to step out of your room and catch the monorail!)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/contemporaryfrommonorail.jpg

For the first time in our trip, we decided to let the DS’s go their own way without us. We planned to meet at the train station in two hours, so DH and I proceeded down Main Street to shop an enjoy each others company. With 5pm reservations at the Hoop Dee Doo we all agreed to forego lunch and just snack that afternoon. The weather was starting to turn gloomy with Tropical Storm Alberto closing in, so we headed over to Aloha Isle for another Dole Whip Float. Before long it was pouring rain and we were conveniently able to duck under cover right next door. There is a covered patio area that has a few tables that made for a perfect spot to watch the rain and enjoy our luscious Dole Whips! (As I suspected, this one tasted so much better now that I was hot and ready for a snack.) People were starting to huddle under cover and we invited a nice family from the East Coast to join us at our table. It took about 20 minutes for the rain to ease up, so we enjoyed a lovely chat with them and their teenage son.

After the rain stopped I wanted to take DH on the grand circle tour of the park aboard the Disney World Railroad, so we grabbed a Coke and popcorn for the ride. Our conductor would later announce that no food or drinks were allowed on the train, but we broke the rules and tried to keep from making any messes. (Good thing the kids weren’t there!)

More touring followed and we eventually regrouped with the kids to catch the boat to Fort Wilderness.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/fortwilderness.jpg

We really enjoyed the HDDR on our last trip and were all very much looking forward to this meal. I had forgotten our tickets back at the room, but guest services at Pioneer Hall were able to quickly and easily reprint them for us.

We were allowed to enter promptly at 5pm and escorted to our pre-assigned table. Table assignments are on a first come, first serve basis and our 90-day advance ADR scored us a table on the lower floor, halfway back, all the way to the right. Not too bad, but we did have to be careful all evening not to push our chairs too far out into the aisle where the servers and performers pass back and forth.

Our server was quick to take drink orders, which were tea and cokes even though beer, wine and sangria are included with admission. Salad and bread arrived soon after and it was very good. The boys don’t eat salad, so there was more for DH and me! The warm rolls and real butter were delicious! The show started and the performers did several minutes of song, dance, skits and jokes that my boys seemed to enjoy now more than ever! There was an intermission so that they could bring up the house lights and serve the entrees. We loved the fried chicken, ribs, beans and corn! Our server stopped by frequently and brought us two more chicken breast pieces at our request. I appreciated being able to get pieces we enjoy most! Soon we were all singing and laughing again along with our delightful cast of characters and I was able to get up close and personal with one of them. During the birthday and anniversary recognition I stood up and confessed how old I was because they said you could be any age you wanted to be at Disney World. (If you’re wondering, I said 21!) Almost stuffed to the gills, the cast started their big Strawberry Shortcake number and dessert was served. Oh my heavens, delicious shortcake with tons of strawberries piled high with whipped cream! It was the perfect conclusion to a scrumptious meal. The show was funny, the atmosphere was great and the food was fabulous!

You would think this would be a good place to end such a wonderful day, but alas, it was evening EMH at the Magic Kingdom and it was still technically my birthday. So we boated back to the MK and hopped the bus back to the BCV. After a couple of hours rest, DS13 and I took to the bus back to the MK and secured our Extra Magic Hour wristbands at the main entrance around 10:45pm.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/daltontomorrowland.jpg

After a wild ride on Space Mountain, a near death experience on Astro Orbiters and a rather unpleasant experience on Stitch’s Great Escape, DS was in the mood for some fries. We split some fries and a chocolate milkshake from Pinocchio’s Village Haus while hanging out near the crazed mob that was waiting near the Dumbo ride. We had an incredible time hanging out together and watching the crowds dwindle as the evening wore on. We finally closed out the park with the final exclusive performance of the Country Bear Jamboree. (Thanks to the CM who got us in at 2am and still had a smile even though we were the only ones in the theater!)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/countrybears.jpg

We nearly had the park to ourselves and it was truly awesome being there after dark. We lingered in front of the castle and slowly walked down Main Street soaking in the beauty and majesty of truly the most magical place on Earth!

Coming next – Day 8: Soggy tacos, French pastries and a fond farewell.

[ShellyBelly]

Another wonderful day in review! The end is near and so very bittersweet! LOL

[magicmouse2]

Great report thanks!! :teeth:

[01Sweetpea]

Wonderful reviews... keep them coming!

[Ashley80]

After a wild ride on Space Mountain, a near death experience on Astro Orbiters and a rather unpleasant experience on Stitch’s Great Escape, DS was in the mood for some fries.

May I ask what in the world happened with the near death experience on Astro Orbiters?? :teeth: I love your reviews btw! They are very entertaining! popcorn::

[Dustmouse]

May I ask what in the world happened with the near death experience on Astro Orbiters?? :teeth: I love your reviews btw! They are very entertaining! popcorn::

Well, it seems that I am a little too Pooh sized to ride in the same rocket ship as DS. He got in first and then I tried to squeeze in behind, but that didn't work. So I got in first and he tried to squeeze in front. That didn't work either. He basically ended up sitting on my lap which kept us from being "properly restrained" and nearly gave the boy a heart attack! His bottom was about even with the top of the ride vehicle, so that when we began to gain altitude and angle he felt like he was going to fall out. Trust me, I had him held tight, but that didn't seem to be much comfort. He loves Rockin' Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror and Space Mountain, but swears he will never ride Astro Orbiters again! :scared:

BTW - That's an adorable countdown ticker! :thumbsup2

[LErin26]

Great reviews :thumbsup2

[BeadyLady]

Thanks again! Hope you get together with the Limey's before their trip!

[Gina35]

Looking forward to the "fond farewell"...'tho I don't want it to end!! We are going in August, and your reviews are keeping me in total excitement mode!!
An awesome job! Thanks for taking the time to give such detailed reports and to take such great pics.

[5DisneyNuts]

Your reports are really the best! You make me feel as though I'm there with you.
Thanks for taking the time to share them.

[averill94]

Still really enjoying the detailed reviews! Your boys look like a lot of fun :cool1:

[Krissalee]

Fantastic reviews - I love all the photos!

[Disney owl]

Great reviews thanks

[PolyAddict]

I'm loving it. Bring on the rest!!!! :happytv:

[MsDisney23]

Now you've doneit! I am hungry! :teeth:

[crossfamily]

AWSOME AWSOME review. My son has to have the rice crispy mickey!!!!! Thanks for taking the time to post this review.
Teresa

[cknuazu]

I'm just lovin your reviews and all the great family time you all had :love:

[firkat]

We have ADRs for many of the same places for our trip in Sept/Oct. I was having second thoughts about Hoop Dee Doo until I read your review! Thanks so much for your time in reporting all of this!

[LAWalz23]

Thanks for the awesome pictures with the reviews! I think I have to have one of those extra large Mickey rice krispie treats. I totally agree with you about Chef Mickeys and the room where you were because all of the characters rushed by us the morning we were seated there.

[figmentfan704]

Thanks for the awesome reviews!! We have ADR's in September for a lot of the same places. We also loved Hoop-de-Doo. :love: :love:

I can't wait to read more!!

[kahluacream]

Thanks so much for your reviews. The pictures are wonderful... It looks like you had a great time! :thumbsup2

[Nasus]

Great reviews...we also loved HDDR! We did the SW stuff the weekend before you on June 3rd and then went to MK that night to see Wishes. It was a nice ending for our vacation.
Susan

[Tinkerbellmom33]

What a great thread!! Can't wait to read soggy tacos etc. Thank you for taking the time to write this. :goodvibes

[mytwotinks]

Great reviews! Can't wait to read about your last day!

[Denise Thies]

Thanks for the great review - I am ordering some of those yummy foods now that I have seen the pictures. I just killed an hour of work time reading all the great reviews thanks. :banana:

[snarfieca]

Thanks for the great reviews and pictures. I can't wait for the next installment.

Brenda
from MB

[Dustmouse]

Day 8: Soggy tacos, French pastries and a fond farewell.

There it was. That cold, heartless envelope that lay on the floor just inside the door condemning you back to the real world; a world less magical. Today was our check out day….

We slept in and found ourselves racing around to get packed up and checked out on time. A quick survey of the fridge showed that we made good use of our groceries with only a little bit of juice, 2 eggs and a few slices of bread to leave behind. No time for breakfast today as we rushed to take showers and recover stray socks from under every piece of furniture in the place! We finally got it all together and downstairs to be stored until our 3:20pm pickup time from Magical Express.

The rain was falling steadily thanks to Tropical Storm Alberto, but that wasn’t about to spoil our fun. We had been blessed all week with great weather and I surely wasn’t going to spend our last day cooped up in the resort. After all, we didn’t schedule a 6:30pm flight back to Houston for nothing! C’mon guys, don those Mickey rain ponchos and come along with me! What?? DH just wants to sit in the hotel and read? Traitor! How can this be? It’s our last day! Oh, all right then. The boys and I will wade over to Epcot without you. And so, quite contented, DH visited the Marketplace for a new novel, a light snack and settled quite peacefully into one of the many beautiful sitting rooms at the Beach Club.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/sittingroom.jpg

Anxious to take a ride on Test Track, the boys and I sloshed through the International Gateway. Afraid that it would be down due to inclement weather, we were surprised to find many people hopping in the queue. Within a few minutes we were on the loading dock and excited to be riding for the first time this trip. Of course, that’s when it all stopped and the CM’s announced that the ride was temporarily down. Giving the impression that it might open momentarily, we all plopped down and chatted amongst neighbors and ourselves.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/testtrack.jpg

After about 40 minutes of fun, I asked a passing CM what the real possibility of the ride reopening was and he said that if the outdoor track was the least bit wet it would not run. Well then, time to go!

Having skipped breakfast we were definitely ready for lunch and so we were off to the World Showcase. Viva la Mexico I always say and in short order D14 and I were in line at Cantina de San Angel. Dos Plato Combinacions, por favor? The line here was crazy and unorganized but after about ten minutes we had food in hand. The combo plate included a chicken taco, beef burrito and quesadilla served with black refried beans and Mexican salsa. Oh, and don’t forget the churro! Since DS13 had forged on towards China, we grabbed our trays and tried to keep our churros from becoming wet sponges. The rain was coming down pretty steady by this time so we waded towards China as quickly as possible as our tacos became increasingly soggy. We found DS13 dry and smiling at the Lotus Blossom Café enjoying the Orange Chicken Rice Bowl. We all enjoyed our lunch with the orange chicken being the clear favorite. The Mexican food was decent and comparable to other fast food quality places

Well, the clock was ticking and so with Mickey ponchos back in place we stepped back out to enjoy the World Showcase. Soaking in the sites of China, we were charmed by the panda topiary.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/panda.jpg

Delighted by the miniature train village in Germany.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/germantrainvillage.jpg

And inspired by the red, white and blue beauty of the American Adventure!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/americanadventure.jpg

We enjoyed this day as much as any other. Rain or shine, it was Disney and we were happy to be there.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/rainyday.jpg

Alas, it was time to head back to the resort and ultimately back to the airport. Since we had skipped lunch on one of our previous days we were still left with four CS credits and only an hour left to spend them. Unfortunately our bellies were full and so it seemed they would be wasted. Trudging on towards the International Gateway we paused in France and suddenly all of those hours on the DIS boards paid off. I remembered that CS credits could be redeemed at Boulangerie Patisserie for pastries! Hot dog, we have a winner! My plan was to have the pastries boxed to go so we could enjoy them later on the flight or even back at home the next day. Genius! I hopped in line and the glorious smell of the bakery confirmed that I had made a very good decision. Our friendly server gladly boxed up eight delicious pastries in exchange for four CS credits and we were soon on our way back to find DH.

With sopping wet shoes we found DH who was happily relaxing right where we left him. He said that he had a very yummy Smoked Ham and Black Diamond Cheddar Sandwich from the BC Marketplace and just enjoyed the afternoon reading and resting. I flashed him a peek at the pastries and he was properly impressed with my savvy use of credits.

Finally, it was time to head out to the bus stop for our journey back to MCO. The boys and I changed into dry socks and I carefully protected my pastries while the other luggage was loaded under the Magical Express bus. We finally boarded and I sighed a deep and contented sigh as we pulled away from the resort, saddened yet somehow satisfied by this week of wonder, adventure and love. I had worked hard, planned exhaustively and dreamt of a time that we would come together and experience the splendor of fantasy, happiness and magic. This was that time…this was that place.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h131/dustmouse1/blackwhitesplash.jpg

[Leigha]

Perfect ending!! Thanks for all your hard work!

[lorli]

Thank you for sharing, I have enjoyed the reading. And it is preparing me for our trip in 22 days. Wahoo :yay:

[MINNIEBOWSER]

Thank you sooo much for your report. I very much enjoyed reading the whole thing. :thumbsup2
Your ending almost brought tears to my eyes! I could feel your pain having to leave the most magical place on Earth. :sad1: We ALL can relate to that!!

[latexscooter]

Thank you for the wonderful reviews. You've helped me make decisions on some of my ADRs and that is appreciated.

[Gina35]

What an ending! The pic is beautiful, and the sentiment is shared by us all. Thanks for taking the time to fill us all in. Hope you're not experiencing post-Dis trauma too severely!!

[DisneycrazedX6]

Thank you for your great reviews and pictures!!! You sure looked like you had a great time even in the rain. I am hoping for a little Disney Magic with the weather for our upcoming trip. Thanks again!!!! :banana:

[CanadianPaco]

Extremely well done! THANK YOU!!! That was a pleasure to read! :thumbsup2

[MickiMouth]

Thank you for taking the time to post your report. I loved it! We leave in 17 days and just tonight DH and I watched the WDW planning DVD for the fun of it. Your report makes me more excited then the planning video ever could.

[ShellyBelly]

What a great report!! I have really enjoyed reading every bit of it! Thanks!

[maciec]

WOW! Is all I can say about your reviews. What a standard you have set for the rest of us if we ever want to write a review. I for one, am gonna try.

[purpliequeen]

Thank you! Your reviews were awesome. :thumbsup2

Raina

[richard_andmel]

Great reviews and pictures... I am going to at least take pictures of DH's & my food, not sure the rest of the family will let me. :rolleyes: But we'll see. I have to write a review to say thank you for all of the wonderful reviews like yours which have kept me going in the time up to our trip.

[heather360]

Thanks for all of the reviews. I really appreciate all of your time and effort. :thumbsup2

[jbdreamer]

What a fabulous review!! I loved all the pictures! It makes me very excited for my trip in a couple weeks! :goodvibes

[mom2my3kids]

wonderful reviews.. I can't wait for our trip in october..

[MomofCKJ]

What a great review! Thank you for writing and taking so many great pictures! I still have 134 or so days to go but it is reading things like this that get me so excited! We are going to quite a few of the same places you did (50's PT, WCC, Ohana, Le Cellier, Chef Mickey) so it was nice to see your take on them.

Allyson :)

[D3sdoll]

Great reviews! Thanks!

BTW, You have a beautiful family!

~Telia~
:tinker:

[Snowysmom]

Your reviews were terrific! I loved the pictures of the food. I am doing some "food" research for our trip next June and now I have some great ideas. Thanks.

[Dustmouse]

Thanks again to everyone who read my dining/trip report! I appreciate everyone who stayed the course despite my ramblings about things other than dining. We had such a fantastic time and being able to share some of the magic with others was a pleasure!

I hope everyone who is planning a future trip has a very safe and wonderful vacation!

[MissMagnolia]

Thank you so much for posting photos with your review. It makes it much more enjoyable and you can get a good idea of the experience. :thumbsup2

[Disfan3]

that was awesome and truely delightful

thank you for your time and attention to detail...it was very helpful

I LOVE that pic of you and your men at the end!!


thank you

[Eventer98]

Thanks so much for your great reviews! We are eating at many of the places you did and seeing the pics, and giving me something to look fwd. too, will make the time go by faster! :wave:

[Viki]

Wonderful report, which I thoroughly enjoyed!

[UtahMama]

OMGosh! Those S'mores are INSANE!!! I can not wait to eat that!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed this bite-by-bite treasure!!!!

[D&R love Disney]

Thanks for such a great review. I loved your pictures to go with each meal!

[kathymc]

wonderful report - thanks for sharing!

[DLo]

Thanks for all the great pics. Especially of the steaks!! My ds12 has recently decided he likes steak. Last year - he ate it 3 out of 4 TS meals . Thank goodness we were on the DDP. :thumbsup2