TillyMarigold
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2009
So, those of you who were here for my last dining review know that I found out after our September '09 trip was booked that I'd be back in Orlando for a conference in May 2010, and of course how could I possibly be so close to Disney World and not stop in and say "Hi"?
However, what I didn't mention over there is that when I mentioned this trip to DBFF, she said "You know, we've been thinking the kids are at a good age for their first trip to Disney..." Unfortunately, however, DBFF already had a no-kids trip planned with her DH earlier in the spring, and he couldn't get more time off work (DBFF is a student and was between semesters).
So in the end, it was decided that DBFF and her boys would join us for 5 days. We would be there from Friday May 14 through Saturday May 22, and DBFF and family would be there starting Tuesday, May 18.
So without further ado, the full cast of characters for this adventure:
Me: Violet, 31, originally from New Jersey, former Epcot attractions CM, now a professional language geek, married for almost 6 years to ...
Chernabog: DH, also 31, originally from Scotland, computer/classroom technology technician.
... and together, we live with our two cats, one dog, no kids, in the Land of Enchantment. Our favorite things about Disney and the world in general are noticing the small things, watching street performers, and going out to eat (so you're probably not surprised that we're on the dining plan). Oh, and we're total geeks. And nerds. Both. And we have a weird sense of humor. You have been warned.
Joining us this year are:
Belle: 30, my best friend since approximately forever, biochemist currently studying for a Ph.D. in pharmacology. It may or may not become relevant that Belle is very, very short. Also, she is very into literature (hence the name) and speaks four languages. Also, she is allergic to tree nuts.
Woody: Belle's DS7½. Wants to be a cricket player when he grows up. The real reason the trip was booked was that back when Belle and I were still discussing it, she left an email from me open on the computer and he read it and thought this was just the most awesome thing he'd ever heard. I find it hilarious that he did so, and mildly shocking that he can read. Not only that, but I asked them all to make lists of their "must-dos" and he wrote his in outline form, with Roman numerals and everything. My favorite was: "Hollywood Studios - I. Lights Motors Action Stunt Show - A. Because I am a boy - B. And I like to see things explode."
Mickey: Belle's DS4. Obsessed with trains and cats. He only managed to get as far as "Disneyland!" in his list-making, although we did ride every remotely train-like thing with him (except Big Thunder).
Beast: 35, Belle's DH, will not be joining us on this trip but may make appearances by telephone and text message.
This trip also represented my first-ever foray into Special Diets. Belle is allergic to tree nuts (not anaphylactic, though, thank God) and I also put in a request for no pork for religious reasons, although she's not strict about that. So I had sent that information to Special Diets for the TS meals they would be joining us for.
Reservations required some serious tweaking with the addition of Belle + kidlets (who were on a budget, so would be eating mostly QS), so we tweaked and messed and fussed and cajoled and finally came up with the following (asterisks denote alcohol is included in the review):
Friday 5/14:
Sunshine Seasons (Dinner) (Chernabog) (page 1, post 3)
Banana Cabana* (S) (V & C) and Old Port Royale cookies (page 1, post 4)
Saturday 5/15:
Wolfgang Puck Express (L) (C) (page 1, post 7)
Banana Cabana* (S) (C) (page 1, post 7)
Pecos Bill's (D) (V & C) (page 1, post 8)
Aloha Isle (S) (V & C) (page 1, post 8)
Sunday 5/16:
Wolfgang Puck Express (B) (C) (page 1, post 10)
Boardwalk Bakery (S) (V & C) (page 1, post 12)
Tangierine Café (L) (V & C) (page 1, post 13)
The Joy of Tea (China) (S) (C) (page 1, post 14)
Flying Fish* (D) (V & C) (page 2, post 20)
Monday 5/17:
The Mara (B) (V & C) (page 2, post 23)
Kusafiri Bakery (S) (C) (page 2, post 26)
Royal Anandapur Tea Company (S) (V) (page 2, post 26)
Restaurant Marrakesh (D) (V & C--Chernabog's request) (page 2, post 28)
La Cava del Tequila* (V & C) (page 2, post 30)
Tuesday 5/18:
Boma (B) (V & C) (page 3, post 33)
Glazed almonds, bottle of Coke, churro & pretzel (S) (V & C) (page 3, post 40)
Aloha Isle (S) (W & M) (page 3, post 42)
The Mara (D) (V & C) (page 3, post 43)
Intermission Food Court (B, W & M) (page 3, post 43)
Wednesday 5/19:
'Ohana (B) (all 5 of us) (page 3, post 44)
Pizzafari (L) (all 5)
Strawberry bars (V, W, & M)
Boma (D) (V & C)
Rainforest Café (D) (B, W & M)
Victoria Falls* (S) (V & C)
Thursday 5/20:
The Mara (B) (V & C)
Intermission Food Court (B) (B, W & M)
Studios Catering Company (L) (all 5)
Frozen Lemonade (V & W)
The Joy of Tea (China)* (C)
The Mara (D) (V & C)
Intermission Food Court (D) (B, W & M)
Friday 5/21:
Grand Floridian Café (B) (Violet's request)
El Pirata y el Perico (L) (V, B, W, & M)
The Lunching Pad (S) (V & W)
Jiko* (D) (V, C & B)
Simba's Cubhouse (D) (W & M)
Saturday 5/22:
The Mara (B) (V & C)
Sanaa (L) (V & C)
However, what I didn't mention over there is that when I mentioned this trip to DBFF, she said "You know, we've been thinking the kids are at a good age for their first trip to Disney..." Unfortunately, however, DBFF already had a no-kids trip planned with her DH earlier in the spring, and he couldn't get more time off work (DBFF is a student and was between semesters).
So in the end, it was decided that DBFF and her boys would join us for 5 days. We would be there from Friday May 14 through Saturday May 22, and DBFF and family would be there starting Tuesday, May 18.
So without further ado, the full cast of characters for this adventure:
Me: Violet, 31, originally from New Jersey, former Epcot attractions CM, now a professional language geek, married for almost 6 years to ...
Chernabog: DH, also 31, originally from Scotland, computer/classroom technology technician.
... and together, we live with our two cats, one dog, no kids, in the Land of Enchantment. Our favorite things about Disney and the world in general are noticing the small things, watching street performers, and going out to eat (so you're probably not surprised that we're on the dining plan). Oh, and we're total geeks. And nerds. Both. And we have a weird sense of humor. You have been warned.
Joining us this year are:
Belle: 30, my best friend since approximately forever, biochemist currently studying for a Ph.D. in pharmacology. It may or may not become relevant that Belle is very, very short. Also, she is very into literature (hence the name) and speaks four languages. Also, she is allergic to tree nuts.
Woody: Belle's DS7½. Wants to be a cricket player when he grows up. The real reason the trip was booked was that back when Belle and I were still discussing it, she left an email from me open on the computer and he read it and thought this was just the most awesome thing he'd ever heard. I find it hilarious that he did so, and mildly shocking that he can read. Not only that, but I asked them all to make lists of their "must-dos" and he wrote his in outline form, with Roman numerals and everything. My favorite was: "Hollywood Studios - I. Lights Motors Action Stunt Show - A. Because I am a boy - B. And I like to see things explode."
Mickey: Belle's DS4. Obsessed with trains and cats. He only managed to get as far as "Disneyland!" in his list-making, although we did ride every remotely train-like thing with him (except Big Thunder).
Beast: 35, Belle's DH, will not be joining us on this trip but may make appearances by telephone and text message.
This trip also represented my first-ever foray into Special Diets. Belle is allergic to tree nuts (not anaphylactic, though, thank God) and I also put in a request for no pork for religious reasons, although she's not strict about that. So I had sent that information to Special Diets for the TS meals they would be joining us for.
Reservations required some serious tweaking with the addition of Belle + kidlets (who were on a budget, so would be eating mostly QS), so we tweaked and messed and fussed and cajoled and finally came up with the following (asterisks denote alcohol is included in the review):
Friday 5/14:
Sunshine Seasons (Dinner) (Chernabog) (page 1, post 3)
Banana Cabana* (S) (V & C) and Old Port Royale cookies (page 1, post 4)
Saturday 5/15:
Wolfgang Puck Express (L) (C) (page 1, post 7)
Banana Cabana* (S) (C) (page 1, post 7)
Pecos Bill's (D) (V & C) (page 1, post 8)
Aloha Isle (S) (V & C) (page 1, post 8)
Sunday 5/16:
Wolfgang Puck Express (B) (C) (page 1, post 10)
Boardwalk Bakery (S) (V & C) (page 1, post 12)
Tangierine Café (L) (V & C) (page 1, post 13)
The Joy of Tea (China) (S) (C) (page 1, post 14)
Flying Fish* (D) (V & C) (page 2, post 20)
Monday 5/17:
The Mara (B) (V & C) (page 2, post 23)
Kusafiri Bakery (S) (C) (page 2, post 26)
Royal Anandapur Tea Company (S) (V) (page 2, post 26)
Restaurant Marrakesh (D) (V & C--Chernabog's request) (page 2, post 28)
La Cava del Tequila* (V & C) (page 2, post 30)
Tuesday 5/18:
Boma (B) (V & C) (page 3, post 33)
Glazed almonds, bottle of Coke, churro & pretzel (S) (V & C) (page 3, post 40)
Aloha Isle (S) (W & M) (page 3, post 42)
The Mara (D) (V & C) (page 3, post 43)
Intermission Food Court (B, W & M) (page 3, post 43)
Wednesday 5/19:
'Ohana (B) (all 5 of us) (page 3, post 44)
Pizzafari (L) (all 5)
Strawberry bars (V, W, & M)
Boma (D) (V & C)
Rainforest Café (D) (B, W & M)
Victoria Falls* (S) (V & C)
Thursday 5/20:
The Mara (B) (V & C)
Intermission Food Court (B) (B, W & M)
Studios Catering Company (L) (all 5)
Frozen Lemonade (V & W)
The Joy of Tea (China)* (C)
The Mara (D) (V & C)
Intermission Food Court (D) (B, W & M)
Friday 5/21:
Grand Floridian Café (B) (Violet's request)
El Pirata y el Perico (L) (V, B, W, & M)
The Lunching Pad (S) (V & W)
Jiko* (D) (V, C & B)
Simba's Cubhouse (D) (W & M)
Saturday 5/22:
The Mara (B) (V & C)
Sanaa (L) (V & C)