"Life itself is the proper binge" - Update 4/6 - Kona & Captain Cook's

[Dis_Yoda]

I know, I haven't finished my F&W Dining Report yet, but I'm excited and want to work on planning my next two trips. Thats right, two! We're lucky we live so close and are able to visit as much as we do.

1st Winter Trip!

When: December 9th - 13th, 2009

Hotel: Pop Century

Who: Just myself!

How: Deluxe Dining Plan


2nd Winter Trip!

When: February 2010

Hotel: Polynesian Garden View Club Level

Who: My husband and me

How: Trying all the non-Dining Plan places we want to try.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Table of Contents
December Trip
Pre-Trip
Initial ADR Plan
Solo V&A or No Solo V&A?
Trip Plan, Rev 1.5​

Day 1
Breakfast & Sanaa Lunch
Afternoon Snacks
Jiko​

Day 2
Kona Cafe
Tokyo Dining
Afternoon Snacks & Ohana​

Day 3
Everything Pop!
Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch & Tambu Lounge
Flying Fish​

Day 4
Everything Pop! & Starring Rolls
Mama Melrose
Victoria & Albert's Part 1
Victoria & Albert's Part 2
Victoria & Albert's Part 3
Alcohol ​

Day 5
Everything Pop!​

Final Thoughts​

Feb Trip
Initial ADR Plan
Revised ADR Plan​

Day 1
Chick-fil-a Road Food
Snacks - Tequila Bar & Snack Cart
Jiko​

Day 2
Captain Cook's
German Snack
Coral Reef
Fulton's
Tambu Lounge​

Day 3
Captain Cook's
Bahama Breeze
Ohana
Cosmic Ray's​

Day 4
Ohana
Columbia Harbor House
Main Street Sweets
Victoria & Albert's Chef Table Part 1
Victoria & Albert's Chef Table Part 2
Victoria & Albert's Chef Table Part 3
Victoria & Albert's Chef Table Part 4​

Day 5
Captain Cook's & Snack
Kona & Goofy's
BlueZoo​

Kona

Day 6​

Captain Cook's

Rating System​

Jumping on the bandwagon!​

To stick with the winter theme of this report:​

Evil. Would Not Get Again.​

This is just ok.​

Yoda is happy enough with this one.​

Excellent!​

Outstanding - Making one want to sit back and be a happy fat kid (eerrr monster)​

 

[MickeyNicki]

Awesome! We will be there too but after you leave, Dec 14-17

Cant wait for these reviews!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Awesome! We will be there too but after you leave, Dec 14-17

Cant wait for these reviews!

Thanks for joining in! I've debated on changing my dates some as getting dining reservations were kinda crazy for the dates I'm going however I got a great room rate with the AP so I might as well keep it. At least if the parks are crowded ride wise, I'll just enjoy the holiday surroundings and visit the various resorts too.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

December Trip ADRs - Initial
​

Wednesday Dec 9th- Arrival Day

Dinner: 8pm - Jikos

Thursday Dec 10th - EPCOT Day
Breakfast: 7:30AM - Captain's Grille
Lunch: 11:45AM - Tutto Italia
Dinner: 9:30PM - Nacoossee's

Friday Dec 11th - MK Day
Breakfast: 7:10AM - Chef Mickey's
Lunch: 2:40PM - Liberty Tree Tavern
Dinner: 7:40PM - Sanaa

Sat Dec 12th - HS Day
Breakfast: Pop Food Court
Lunch: 11:30AM - 50's Prime Time
Dinner: 5:40PM - California Grill

Sunday Dec 13th - Depature Day
Breakfast: Pop Food Court

I am not currently thrilled with my ADRs I have.​

• Tutto less than impressed me to have a 3 course meal there. I'm debating on moving that to Tokyo Dining where I know I love the food or trying Nine Dragons or San Angel Inn for the first time in a long time.​
• 9:30pm is way too late for dinner for me for Narcoossee's & that is the evening I'm debating on going to MVMCP. Plus that would mean two dinners in a row of a filet entree and I want to mix it up some. So that might be changed to a 5pm reservation at Citrico's or Kona.​
• 2:40PM for LTT was all they could get me. I'm going to attempt to show up at 11:30am when they open to get in instead. If not, I won't have a TS meal and will just enjoy a counter service place. (Maybe the elusive pirate place will be open!)​
• Didn't really want Sanaa - as that evening I tried for California Grill or Kona and they were both booked. This may change to Citrico's or Kona if I can get in.​

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Is this your first Solo trip? Just wondering... always wanted to plan one for myself but can't keep my dang mouth shut and end up with a crowd.

I'm trying San Angel on my Thanksgiving trip even though I have heard not great things about it and even worse about the new menu.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Is this your first Solo trip? Just wondering... always wanted to plan one for myself but can't keep my dang mouth shut and end up with a crowd.

I'm trying San Angel on my Thanksgiving trip even though I have heard not great things about it and even worse about the new menu.

This is not my first solo trip. This is my 3rd completely solo trip. I've had a couple trips where I was pseudo-solo as I was meeting up with friends a majority of the time but had alone time too. Although this trip might not end up solo as I have a friend from Washington who is debating on coming and if she comes - well, this whole trip is changing around and the fine dining goes away and I end up doing the commando/quick service thing.

You should go solo once, its a great time

I shall look at your reviews from your Thanksgiving Trip (as I"m sure you are doing them, hinthint)

 

[natalielongstaff]

ooh sounds great, love your ratings system

 

[MomsOf2boys]

This is not my first solo trip. This is my 3rd completely solo trip. I've had a couple trips where I was pseudo-solo as I was meeting up with friends a majority of the time but had alone time too. Although this trip might not end up solo as I have a friend from Washington who is debating on coming and if she comes - well, this whole trip is changing around and the fine dining goes away and I end up doing the commando/quick service thing.

You should go solo once, its a great time

I shall look at your reviews from your Thanksgiving Trip (as I"m sure you are doing them, hinthint)

I am traveling with the Paranoids..."You aren't putting my picture on the internet" but I might be able to snatch some food pics... with 8 people I am sure we will hit nearly every entree on a menu... and since I am the only one drinking... well... I'll do my best...afterall, I do owe it to the Dis.

I may just do a quick food only report.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

ooh sounds great, love your ratings system

Thanks!

I am traveling with the Paranoids..."You aren't putting my picture on the internet" but I might be able to snatch some food pics... with 8 people I am sure we will hit nearly every entree on a menu... and since I am the only one drinking... well... I'll do my best...afterall, I do owe it to the Dis.

I may just do a quick food only report.

I understand the paranoids.

8 people! Thats a lot to keep up with for each meal. Food pictures are about the only thing I ever remember to take on vacations as I never really get it out for the other things...my husband and I laugh about it as we never get pictures of ourselves anymore.



~
I've been calling to try to change my ADRs for Dec. No luck!! as in places that are never sold out are sold out. I guess I'm going to take the try to walk in approach when they open up at least I'm solo and it shouldn't be too much of a big deal.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Feb 2010 Planning
​

IPO emailed me asking for my plan so I sat down and finally figured it out:

Since we are going Club Level - no Deluxe Dining and thus all new places to my husband (other than V&A and Tutto and LTT) and some new places for me (T-Rex, blueZoo, Il Mulino, Paradiso, Tequila Bar) Its been a while since I've been to Fulton's or Shula's so we can consider those 'new' too

Day 1
Lunch: T-Rex Cafe
Dinner: Fulton's Crab House

Day 2
Lunch: Sci-Fi (just for shakes and onion rings for me - a burger for my husband)
Dinner: Il Mulino

Day 3
Lunch: CHH as a part of Keys to Kingdom Tour
Dinner: Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table (hopefully)

Day 4
Lunch: Yak & Yeti
Dinner: Paradiso 37

Day 5
Lunch: Tutto (for entrees only)
'Snack': Tequila Bar
Dinner: Shula's

Day 6
Lunch: Liberty Tree Tavern
Dinner: Todd English's bluezoo

Day 7
Lunch: Tokyo Dining
Dinner: Bistro de Paris

Day 8
Home!


​

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I am looking forward to these reviews!!!!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Thanks!
I understand the paranoids.

8 people! Thats a lot to keep up with for each meal. Food pictures are about the only thing I ever remember to take on vacations as I never really get it out for the other things...my husband and I laugh about it as we never get pictures of ourselves anymore.
.

Yes 8 people and none of them seem to have any opinions or ideas so if i don't choose they don't move. I should revel in all that power but I don't. I have even tested them with my son watching and purposefully went in a large circle in a store 3 times around and they all followed behind me.

I am going to Twitter food porn from the parks and my newest goal: Over 700 Christmas Trees put up in the world and I want to do a great Tree collage so I am going to take and twitter trees around the worlds/resorts!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I am looking forward to these reviews!!!!

I'm looking forward to eating for these reviews

Yes 8 people and none of them seem to have any opinions or ideas so if i don't choose they don't move. I should revel in all that power but I don't. I have even tested them with my son watching and purposefully went in a large circle in a store 3 times around and they all followed behind me.

I am going to Twitter food porn from the parks and my newest goal: Over 700 Christmas Trees put up in the world and I want to do a great Tree collage so I am going to take and twitter trees around the worlds/resorts!

I know that feeling! I often feel like that with my husband too...I hate being the decisive one all the time. Thats too funny about them following you around the store 3 times.

Awesome about the Twitter - I need to remember to follow that come your trip.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Random Rambles about Dec's Trip
​

• Got rid of 12/10's reservation for Tutto Italia for lunch​
• Added lunch reservation for Tokyo Dining on 12/10​

Currently I have 3 vacation days left at work - I was planning on using 2 of them here for this trip and leave after work on Wednesday; however, I now have a business trip the week I was planning on using my other day. Looking at my schedule for projects and work going on, outside of these vacation dates, I can't use that 3rd day. This means - I may just leave early in the morning on 12/9 rather than 3:30pm to take it.​

• This will make me have to rearrange my schedule to account for lunch on 12/9.​
• I'm craving V&A's Monterey Abalone w/ Toasted Capers and Meyer Lemon like nobody's business.​
• I have my TIW card still until August 2010.​

I'm debating internally if I want to rearrange everything and go to V&A solo (no wine pairing as I can't drink that much and drive back to the Pop Century and I hate buses) on either 12/10 or 12/11. I would be going solo which I've done at V&A before. This trip however was suppose to be budget because of it being before Christmas and doing CL in Feb. Plus - my husband will probably be jealous I get to eat yummy food while he gets to work.

Or - I could spend that $165 I would use towards this meal and get a massage from the Swan/Dolphin Spa. Thus less guilt potential from my husband.

​

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Random Rambles about Dec's Trip
​

• Got rid of 12/10's reservation for Tutto Italia for lunch​
• Added lunch reservation for Tokyo Dining on 12/10​

Currently I have 3 vacation days left at work - I was planning on using 2 of them here for this trip and leave after work on Wednesday; however, I now have a business trip the week I was planning on using my other day. Looking at my schedule for projects and work going on, outside of these vacation dates, I can't use that 3rd day. This means - I may just leave early in the morning on 12/9 rather than 3:30pm to take it.​

• This will make me have to rearrange my schedule to account for lunch on 12/9.​
• I'm craving V&A's Monterey Abalone w/ Toasted Capers and Meyer Lemon like nobody's business.​
• I have my TIW card still until August 2010.​

I'm debating internally if I want to rearrange everything and go to V&A solo (no wine pairing as I can't drink that much and drive back to the Pop Century and I hate buses) on either 12/10 or 12/11. I would be going solo which I've done at V&A before. This trip however was suppose to be budget because of it being before Christmas and doing CL in Feb. Plus - my husband will probably be jealous I get to eat yummy food while he gets to work.

Or - I could spend that $165 I would use towards this meal and get a massage from the Swan/Dolphin Spa. Thus less guilt potential from my husband.

​

Hmmm..... lots of decisions.... the wine paring at V&A would be a lovely treat for you... and you could always take a taxi...no wait times from V&A by the way...

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Hmmm..... lots of decisions.... the wine paring at V&A would be a lovely treat for you... and you could always take a taxi...no wait times from V&A by the way...

I know. Decisions. I currently have a word document trying to help me with planning this out. I think I'm slowly coming up with a much better plan for this whole trip. Now to see if I can get the ADRS I want and still be able to do the things I want to do. Luckily, rides are the back seat this trip as I want to explore as much Christmas goodies as I can. My only must do for rides this trip are Space Mountain and the new ride at EPCOT - Sum of all Thrills - everything else is more so if I do it great! If I miss it - thats ok too. Currently debating on MVMCP or not too.
Or if I should do V&A or no?

At least I still have 6.5 weeks to figure this all out!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Dec Reservations & Plans, Rev 1.5

Dec 9th 3 Credits Used
10:30AM - Arrive at Disney & Check into Pop Century
12:00PM - Lunch Reservations - Sanaa
1:00PM - Afternoon @ Animal Kingdom
8:00PM - Dinner Reservations - Jiko

Dec 10th 4 Credits Used
7:30AM - Breakfast Reservations - Captain's Grille
9:00AM - EPCOT!
12:00PM - Lunch Reservations - Tokyo Dining
1:00PM - More EPCOT!
5:30PM - Dinner Reservations - Citrico's
7:00PM - MVMCP

Dec 11th 2 Credits Used
7:10AM - Breakfast Reservations - Chef Mickey's
9:00AM - Magic Kingdom Opens!
11:30AM - Lunch Reservations - Liberty Tree Tavern
12:30PM - More Magic Kingdom
6:00PM - Dinner Reservations - No Idea?

Dec 12th 1 Credit Used
7:00AM - Breakfast @ Pop Century (w/ Snack Credits)
8:00AM - Hollywood Studios Open
11:30AM - Lunch Reservations - 50's Prime Time
12:30PM - More Hollywood Studios
6:30PM - Osbourn Lights
9:15PM - Dinner Reservations - Victoria & Albert's

Dec 13th
8:00AM - Breakfast @ Pop Century (w/ Snack Credits)
9:00AM - Hit the Road for home


Apparently V&A had no availability for the first seating on either the 9th, 11th, or 12th. No availability for the 2nd seating on the 11th either. Thus I went with the 12th's second seating.

Still no idea what do for dinner on the 11th now though. W/ this plan I have 2 unused credits so it leans me towards a signature dining place. Now its just a matter of which. There is no ADR availability for California Grill - I could always just try when they open to go sit at the bar (or sushi bar) and eat that way. I could do Flying Fish as I enjoyed it last trip. Not feeling like Yachtsman or Narcoossee's this trip as I just did those the last two trips. Other option would be trying for Kona on the 11th and then doing a sit down breakfast on the 13th or having it for a late night meal during the holiday party for the last credit.
​

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I would vote for the sit down breakfast on your last day. That makes you feel complete when you do that. A reflective feast!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Ugh - ADR Madness that is today.

I got through to the V&A Reservation line at 11:08AM - Chef's Table for my day was still available. We got it. System crashed. Brought system back up - Chef's Table unavailable.

Trying to get back through and can't since then.

Edit: 10 hours after I started trying, I finally got through and have a confirmation number!

We got our chef's table for Feb!