Is it a bad sign for the vacation when you faint on the plane? COMPLETED!

[MRYPPNS]

Boy, you said it! A mother's work is never done, eh?

I'm glad you all had such a great evening at the Boardwalk! I really feel like I need to try Beaches and Cream now, and I'm so glad that Liam was happy there.

Even though this vacation isn't necessarily what you thought it might be, you sure are doing a great job at making into something enjoyable for all of you!

We did try to make the best of it....

You took some awesome pix of the Boardwalk... and Liam being good at Beaches and Cream or mostly good..

He's behavior was exactly always good...it was just that he was getting scared.

I hope to stay at the Beach Club Resort when the kids are older.

I'm glad you guys had a good evening. Beaches & Cream looks fun. I've read about it on other TRs too - I'll have to keep it in mind as a backup if we have a change of plans and need another TS meal... anyone know if they are part of the DDP?

Can't wait to hear about your next day!

Yes B&C is on DDP. The good thing about using it as a back-up is that they don't take ADR's so you have just as good a chance of getting in as everyone else. If you don't get there super early like we did, plan to wait for a table for an hour....but there is plenty for the kids to do in that general area to do to pass the time if you are prepared for it.

wow the boardwalk is lovely and I SO want to eat at Beaches and Cream one of these days!

I second the suggestion about bringing the squishy earplugs if Liam continues to be bothered. My younger son is VERY sound sensitive (and was also speach delayed, I wonder if there is a connection?) and we carried a couple pair in our pockets and he would pop them in whenever sounds started to bother him. Liam might be a little young but Daniel caught on pretty quick when he realized the advantages of them.

Yeah Liam's still too young for ear plugs or headphones. I just think he was overwhelmed with all of it. But I think it a great tip for anyone's first visit to have a couple pairs of ear plugs in their park bag just in case....even if it's just for the fireworks.

Hooray for the recycled plan!!

This first trip is really just trial-and-error for you guys, I guess! Think about how much you've learned for the next time, though!

Hope you're feeling well, you're in the home stretch now.

Hmmm, that may have been a bad choice of words......


Kathy

I can't imagine repeating this trip with another kid......I'm that gun shy about the whole experience.

Glad the Boardwalk night was nice! That last time we were there was in '98, (this was just DH & I back then oh and I guess the twins in the oven & our best friends who broke up the week before we left )we ate at ESPN club which was good I remember we all liked the HUGE Nacho plate, and the tv's in the potty

and then we went to the dance place, but that didn't last long IYKWIM because of our traveling companions.

Anyhow, I'm so glad Liam had a fun restaurant experience, which obviosly made it fun for you and DH!

Mae saw the picture of the ice cream MM sundae and said "can we go there?"

Looking forward to more!

Scrappie

ESPN Club is a great place to go with the DH's (no kids).

Liam is really good in restaurants.....except a few at Disney!

That picture of Liam is priceless!! Such a cutie - especially with that great smile.

I really need to get over to the Boardwalk. Love your pictures! Glad you guys had such a nice evening.

That picture of Liam has been turned into a 5x7 and given to the grandparents....it's very popular!

The Boardwalk area is a great place for some free/cheap entertainment for an evening. Plenty of places to eat and shops to explore.

Awwh, the picture of Liam smiling in Beaches & Cream is so cute!

Can't wait for more!

Thanks!

It is good to see Liam's smile. Very cute. One of the only things on our last trip that I didn't get to do that I wanted to do is eat at Beaches and Cream. I hope to be able to do that next time. I can totally sympathize with you about Liam being scared because me SIX year old son was scared of A LOT of things this time. There were not many things we could do as a family because of this. But, we had fun and I hope he and Liam will be more brave next time.

I think he will be OK when he's older....he needed more time to warm up to certain things then we were able to give him.

Liam looks so adorable in that photo.

Beaches & Cream sounds so yummy.

Thanks! Beaches and Cream reminds me of really good diner food!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Somehow I missed your update three days ago . I am caught up now! I love Liam's little happy face at Beaches and Cream -- glad he didn't meltdown everytime the siren went off. That Mickey ice cream is very cute!!! I may have to try and recreate that at home -- we have those kinds of ice cream sundae dishes!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Somehow I missed your update three days ago . I am caught up now! I love Liam's little happy face at Beaches and Cream -- glad he didn't meltdown everytime the siren went off. That Mickey ice cream is very cute!!! I may have to try and recreate that at home -- we have those kinds of ice cream sundae dishes!

No worries....I'm so slow to update nowadays!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Day Five: Thursday October 30, 2008

I always plan a non-park day in the middle of our Disney vacations. It acts as a nice break, or if we’ve had rain earlier in the week, it gives us a make-up day to get back on track. It had been cold so far this week, but thankfully no rain. And I needed to get my shop on!

Our plans for breakfast were either an ADR at 8:30am at Kona Café or eat at Captain Cook’s counter service at the Poly….can you tell I really wanted to try the Tonga Toast?

We quickly got ready in the room and drove to the Poly where we valet parked. I had decided that I felt like a sit down breakfast so we made our way upstairs and checked in at the Kona Café.

It seemed like they weren't very organized or maybe all the staff wasn’t in yet because it took about 10 minutes to get seated even thou there were empty tables everywhere.

We were seated up front next to the railing….it was fine but I wouldn’t wait to sit there for dinner with tons of waiting guests just to the other side of me.

DH and I honeymooned in Hawaii and it was there that I feel in love with Kona coffee. Every morning in Hawaii I started my day with a big ol’ cup of 100% Kona coffee. Heaven in a cup I tell you! You can actually see the Kona coffee being grown in the Kona region on the big island of Hawaii….people grow it in their yards!

Anyways…back to the Kona Café. I thought I was going to have to order a whole press pot of Kona coffee ($7.50) but on the menu they listed Kona coffee by the cup so I ordered that instead. Nasty. When the waitress returned to take our breakfast order I asked her to verify that my coffee was suppose to be Kona coffee. “Yes it is” she said. So in polite way I told her to take that nasty coffee away and bring me an orange juice instead. The menu didn’t say that it was Kona blend coffee when you buy it by the cup. Disney must “blend” it with the Nest-a-carp that they usually serve because even Kona blend coffee doesn’t taste like what they served me. I should have ordered the press-pot but at that point I was over it.

I have food porn for you!

DH ordered the Big Kanuna ($11.99) and an orange juice ($2.29) and deemed it good.

I didn’t really like anything on the kids menu for Liam so I ordered him a fruit cup off the adult menu (3.99). And he had some of DH's french toast. He gobbled it up.

I ordered the Tonga Toast with bacon ($10.99). And looking at my receipt I must have ordered a second juice for myself because I charged for 2 (I wasn’t charged for that coffee).

The Tonga Toast was good, but not great. I’m glad I tried it once but I don’t think I’ll get it again. I enjoyed the Strawberry Compote that is served with it. You know what would have been perfect….a ¼ to 1/3 size serving of the Tonga Toast with eggs, bacon and potatoes. Breakfast cost us $36.04 plus tip. I don’t remember how the service was so I would guess that it was average. I think for about half the price we could have had the same breakfast at Captain Cook’s….and it always tastes better when it’s cheaper! I see the Quick Service dinning plan in our future!

I’ll stop here because I want to get this posted…

Coming up next….it pays to know more than some CM’s and I continue a current TR topic that seems to keep popping up in other’s reports!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I agree with you that a smaller portion of Tonga Toast with other breakfast items would be much better. Granted, I haven't tried Tonga Toast yet but it doesn't appeal to me in the way that the pancakes do there. It does taste better when it's cheaper!

 

[jenjolt]

Oh Heidi!! Tonga Toast just looks delish!!! I'm so going to breakfast there in Sept. I want to try it!! It does look huge though doesn't it!! I'm glad you liked the Strawberry Compote it was served with it is something I really want to try as I enjoy the combo of strawberry and banana!

I'm sorry the coffee wasn't good! I'm not much of a coffee drinker at all so I'll have to wait and see I wouldn't mind sharing a pot with someone!

Another great and wonderful update!! I hope things are going well with you today!!! You will be holding your beautiful little girl soon YAY!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

We had the press pot of Kona when we were there, and it was divine -- that's a shame that the single cups were yicky.

I liked the Tonga Toast, but would probably try the pineapple macadamia pancakes next time.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I agree with you that a smaller portion of Tonga Toast with other breakfast items would be much better. Granted, I haven't tried Tonga Toast yet but it doesn't appeal to me in the way that the pancakes do there. It does taste better when it's cheaper!

If you had someone to share the Tonga Toast and another dish with we'd be all set. DH didn't want anything to do with the Tonga Toast.

Oh Heidi!! Tonga Toast just looks delish!!! I'm so going to breakfast there in Sept. I want to try it!! It does look huge though doesn't it!! I'm glad you liked the Strawberry Compote it was served with it is something I really want to try as I enjoy the combo of strawberry and banana!

I'm sorry the coffee wasn't good! I'm not much of a coffee drinker at all so I'll have to wait and see I wouldn't mind sharing a pot with someone!

Another great and wonderful update!! I hope things are going well with you today!!! You will be holding your beautiful little girl soon YAY!!

I remember scraping off some on that sugar that coats it. I guess I need more savory then sweet in my breakfasts foods.

About 2 months until baby girl!

We had the press pot of Kona when we were there, and it was divine -- that's a shame that the single cups were yicky.

I liked the Tonga Toast, but would probably try the pineapple macadamia pancakes next time.

I know have it in my head to go back to the Kona Cafe for a press pot and dessert....now that would be YUM-O!

 

[KathyRN137]

I always plan a non-park day in the middle of our Disney vacations. It acts as a nice break, or if we’ve had rain earlier in the week, it gives us a make-up day to get back on track.

Amen, sister!! I learned that the hard way!

(Although the last two times, we took a break toward the end of the trip.) Perhaps I will take a page from your book next time.

I see that the next day after this was Halloween! I'm wondering if Liam dressed up for it!! He's such a lil' pumkin anyway!!


Kathy

 

[MRYPPNS]

Amen, sister!! I learned that the hard way!

(Although the last two times, we took a break toward the end of the trip.) Perhaps I will take a page from your book next time.

I see that the next day after this was Halloween! I'm wondering if Liam dressed up for it!! He's such a lil' pumkin anyway!!


Kathy

I think if our DH's had their way, there would be a break at the beginning, the middle and the end!

It's also nice not to have too firm of plans for your last day too so you can make up anything that was majorly missed or just relax and pack.

 

[carissanboys]

We love Kona coffee.

The Tonga Toast looks good, but I know what you mean about needing more savory. I need protein with my breakfast.

 

[MRYPPNS]

We love Kona coffee.

The Tonga Toast looks good, but I know what you mean about needing more savory. I need protein with my breakfast.

I ended up eating a lot of DH's potatoes since he didn't want them and they would have just gone to waste

 

[TarzansKat]

I so need to have the Tonga Toast. Any time someone posts a picture, and yours is so nice, I just lust after it. I seriously need to figure out a way to fit this in, although per your review, I think I'd go to Captain Cook's.

And much like you, I'm curious about the QSDP, and how well that would work. I remember the days when DH and I made...oh, say ONE adr for the whole trip and the rest of the time we just winged it.

Oh, those were so much fun.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sorry Kona didn't live up to your expectations!

I have a major sweet tooth, but I need protein for breakfast too. I like french toast once in a while but the sweetness of OJ is usually enough to satisfy my sweet tooth in the morning. Evenings are a different story...

 

[MRYPPNS]

I so need to have the Tonga Toast. Any time someone posts a picture, and yours is so nice, I just lust after it. I seriously need to figure out a way to fit this in, although per your review, I think I'd go to Captain Cook's.

And much like you, I'm curious about the QSDP, and how well that would work. I remember the days when DH and I made...oh, say ONE adr for the whole trip and the rest of the time we just winged it.

Oh, those were so much fun.

Tonga Toast is something that everyone should try at least once...
I can see myself sharing one with the kids when they are older.

The next time I'm bored and plan a make pretend Disney vacation, I'm going to do it with using the QSDP.

Sorry Kona didn't live up to your expectations!

I have a major sweet tooth, but I need protein for breakfast too. I like french toast once in a while but the sweetness of OJ is usually enough to satisfy my sweet tooth in the morning. Evenings are a different story...

I think I would have liked the Tonga Toast better without it being rolled in that sugar on the outside. I had toyed with ordering that way but I wanted to try it in it's original form.

 

[DisMomAmy]

The next time I'm bored and plan a make pretend Disney vacation, I'm going to do it with using the QSDP.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Everytime I think I'm over my Boardwalk Inn cravings I see lovely pictures like yours and I want to stay there again!

Beaches and Cream sounds like it was great. I'm thinking that on my trip I either need to go there or to the Ghiradelli place at DTD to have a meal of just ice creame.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Everytime I think I'm over my Boardwalk Inn cravings I see lovely pictures like yours and I want to stay there again!

Beaches and Cream sounds like it was great. I'm thinking that on my trip I either need to go there or to the Ghiradelli place at DTD to have a meal of just ice creame.

Either place would be great for an ice cream dinner. I think you'd have more ice cream choices at Ghiradelli's. (Beaches and Cream has bar seating so you could probably get in easily that way.)

 

[winkers]

that piece of Tonga toast is huge!
What is it exactly that makes everyone rave about it?

 

[mousescrapper]

It's also nice not to have too firm of plans for your last day too so you can make up anything that was majorly missed or just relax and pack.

I'm doing that for this trip...and I'm really proud of myself. I have 2 park options and the only things in stone are the time we need to check-out and catch our DME bus back to the airport.

Tonga Toast is something that everyone should try at least once...

I agree...I liked it, but it was super huge and rich!
The next time I'm bored and plan a make pretend Disney vacation, I'm going to do it with using the QSDP.

funny girl.... but seriosuly I'll let you know how the QSDDP stacks up.

Scrappie

PS Margaret has seen your siggie a few times today as I was getting caught up and saw your St. Pat's Mickey and shouted out his name!