2/6/2011 - 4 Night Dream - Update 3/5 Animator's Palette

[Dis_Yoda]

loving your report, so much detail.

Thanks for reading along!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Castaway Cay​

We woke up energized around 7:00AM; however, we knew that it would be a while until we were all clear to go ashore. We headed up to Cabanas for a light breakfast. I went for a croissant and bacon while my husband had lots of eggs again.

After breakfast we headed back to the room and turned out tv to channel 1 so we would be able to hear when the ship was cleared to go ashore. We packed up our bags and read our books until it was time. As soon as the all clear was given, we made our way to Deck 1 to leave the boat.

Leaving the Boat

Looking back at the Ship

Upon leaving the boat, we decided to take the 2 set of trams to the adult beach.

We changed trams at Pelican Point and walked out to bliss. We were the first ones to the adult beach with our choice of hammocks or loungers to choose from!

We picked some hammocks about a third of the way down the beach so that it wouldn't get too crowded as more people woke up and started headed down this way.

To the right

To the left

To the ocean

We spent the next 2.5 hours laying out in the sun, relaxing, reading and people watching. It was so peaceful and exactly what we wanted to do.

As the crowds started growing, we decided we had enough to doing nothing and wanted to look at the shops at the island. We put our stuff away and said goodbye to the wonderful bliss and headed back to the tram station.

Tram Area

Runway

At the first shop:

I so should have bought this when I saw it.

We walked back to the ship.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Lunch, Pools, Shopping​

Once through the security, we decided to head up to the pools before lunch. We knew the AquaDuck was opening around noon so we figured this might be the best time to catch a ride. It wasn't quite open when we got to the pool deck so I relaxed my legs in the Donald Pool until I saw it open. Once opened, we went up the stairs and were ready for our thrill. Well it was kinda a thrill but kinda just a lazy river at the same time. We were glad to do it once together and will go on it again next cruise but it wasn't a thing we would have to do over and over again. We went back to the room to take showers and change from the beach and the pool time.

Once clean and refreshed, we went upstairs for lunch at Cabanas. I had my usual plate of peal and eat shrimp and I can't remember what my husband had. We realized we hadn't had any ice cream yet so we got some soft-serve and enjoy it while laying out on the adult deck.

We decided it would be nice to go to the 'Making of the Dream' presentation in the theatre. It was kinda interesting to my husband as he learned a lot of things he didn't know about. For someone like me that followed along as the Dream was built it was kinda just there. It was mainly a power-point type presentation that I think would bore little kids.

After the presentation we went back to lounge around for a while. We headed over to District Lounge to relax and enjoy an adult beverage as we waited for trivia to begin as today was Pirate Trivia! Only one other person showed up

But it meant more prizes for me to win!
I ended up winning 2 rounds and my husband won the other 2. We were excited! I got a journal and a usb key and my husband got a usb key and a hat.

I noticed while walking around the ship that a Stitch Big Eyes vinylmation we were looking all over WDW for in October was there on the ship! I had to have it. I stalked the opening of the stores so I would finally get it.

I'm glad for my pick with the keychain vinyl! Usually I don't get one of the picks I really want.

Now back at the room, we had to get dressed up for our big meal at Remy as we only had about 45 minutes until it was time for our reservation!

 

[Lemola]

Castaway Cay​

After breakfast we headed back to the room and turned out tv to channel 1 so we would be able to hear when the ship was cleared to go ashore. We packed up our bags and read our books until it was time. As soon as the all clear was given, we made our way to Deck 1 to leave the boat.

Leaving the Boat

THAT'S ME WITH MY DAUGHTER!!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S MY BACKSIDE!!!!


Apparently we had a lot of *almost* meet-ups on this cruise!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

THAT'S ME WITH MY DAUGHTER!!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S MY BACKSIDE!!!!


Apparently we had a lot of *almost* meet-ups on this cruise!

That is too funny! We really did almost meet up a ton.

 

[Lucille1963]

I'm loving your trip report and dying to hear your review of Remy's!

 

[cbg1027]

Can't wait to read about Remy!!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I'm loving your trip report and dying to hear your review of Remy's!

Thanks for reading along! Hopefully Remy will be up shortly.

Can't wait to read about Remy!!!

Thanks! I'm going to start working on it now

 

[LuvEeyore]

Loving your trip report. Hope to hear moe about Remy and isit worth $75??

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Remy​

At 6:30pm, we headed upstairs to Remy. A few minutes early to our reservation, they had us wait in Meridian for just a few minutes. Shortly the host guided us to our table in the back corner of the restaurant. It was a nice quiet corner although it was near the kitchen door. They gave my purse (err camera bag) its own stool but didn't give me a black napkin to match my black dress?

It was elegant throughout the entire restaurant with French music in the background.

We were greeted by our server who proceeded to make us our welcome cocktail - the Colette. It was designed to be 'sweet yet strong' like the movie character. It used the special Disney Dream champagne along with some liquor, frozen blueberries and apricots

I really enjoyed it although my husband did not so I got to finish his cocktail over the course of the meal.

Our server then presented us with the menus and went over a few things. We were told we could order as much or as little as we wanted but the more you order the longer the meal will taken. After debating amongst ourselves, I ended up ordering 5 dishes while my husband went with 4 with all our dishes being the same (save my extra course)

Very shortly after we made our selections, another waiter stopped by with the welcome treat from the chef.

The best way for my husband and I to describe it was a bite size all in one high quality cheese stick. You ate it in one bite and tomato essence kinda exploded in your mouth. I loved it and would have liked to have another one but I resisted asking as I knew we had a lot of food ahead of us.

Another server came by to present us with 3 bread selections - these selections were identical to the breads at V&A. We both selected the french mini baguette but could have also had a truffle brioche or a multi-grain bread.

The cute little salt holder for the butter.

Our server returned with some Evian that was in a specially designed bottle. He went on about it for a while but um I didn't quiet understand everything he was saying. But it was really pretty even if I failed at taking a good picture of it.

Next up was our first course - something from the chef.

Ratatouille w/ Olive Oil Ice Cream.

Before this night, I never had ratatouille before. I really enjoyed this dish with the olive oil ice cream. It softened the vegetable flavor just enough.

For our next course, my husband and I enjoyed

Alaskan King Crab Cannelloni, Hearts of Palm and Caviar Vinaigrette.

This dish was both a beauty on the eyes and in the mouth! The crab tasted extremely fresh. The mixture it was in was amazing and generally I'm really picky about crab.

The next course was my course only.

Smoked Bison w/ Fennel Salad & Blood Oranges

This was again a very good dish. It was served medium rare and extremely tender. I didn't even need a fork to cut the meat! My husband also enjoyed the bite he stole from me but wouldn't ask to get his own serving even though I know they would have brought him out one.

Our next course was the fish course.

Turbot Cotier w/ Gnocchi.

Again perfection at least for the fish. The sauce that it came with (it is served on the side so you can put as much or as little as you want) made the fish meld to your mouth. The gnocchi was a bit too chewy for me but I never have really liked gnocchi so it isn't the fault of Remy I didn't enjoy that aspect of the dish.

Our fourth course was
Lobster w/ Vanilla Bisque & Lobster Roe Foam

For me the dish was not a hit but I believe that is personal taste. I keep telling myself I should like lobster and well keep not liking it. At least I give it my best try again and again. The bisque was very good though and I made sure I had every bite of it I could. My husband ended up finishing off my lobster along with his as he loved it!

Our fifth course
Australian Wagyu w/ Garlic-Potato Puree & Petite Carrots

Again amazing! The beef was some of the most tender meat I've had, along side the times I've had this similar dish at Victoria & Albert's many many times.

Next up was cheese. Instead of giving you a plated selection of a few cheeses like many places do, they bring out a cheese cart and explain all the selections to you. There were about 12 to 13 selections ranging from unpasteurized blue cheese to a more mild cheddar and Gouda.

We asked to share a plate of many of the selections outside of the blue cheese.

My husband's favorite was the cheddar with the chives. I greatly enjoyed many of the soft rind cheeses that were double and tripled creamed.

Once we were finished with our cheese course, we were presented envelopes with a pullout cord for our desserts selection.

My husband and I both ended up going for the same selection -
Chocolate Fondant.

It was a layered chocolate bar served with gold. It was incredibly rich but just enough at the same time.

This was served with an ice cream/froth/Tabasco/crunch bits to balance out the richness of the bar.

Even knowing it had Tabasco in it - it was amazing. The kick of the Tabasco was softened with the cold chocolate ice cream.

While enjoying this dish I realized I hadn't taken a picture of the plate details!

Such an elegant way to tribute the restaurant's namesake.

At this point we were incredibly full but the meal still wasn't complete. Our server brought out some parting sweets for us to enjoy.

Chocolate - There were 2 different types inside, one with Remy printed on it.

Candies including lollipops, homemade banana marshmallows, caramelized puff pastry and some other things that I don't recall now.

As we enjoyed our treats and paid our bill, Remy wasn't done with us quite yet. We had a thank you card with a box of truffles waiting for us when we returned to our room.

Remy was well worth the $75/person for us. I would pay even more if I had to. While I think I may enjoy V&A more, my husband was much more happy with Remy than V&A. He said every time we are on one of the Dream class ships, we must eat here. I'm more than ok with that! The meal took just over 3.5 hours but it did not feel like it was that long. To me, that shows the pacing was spot on throughout the entire meal.

Service from our server was amazing; however, I wasn't overly thrilled with some of the other servers I observed. The food runners would bring out the food that was to be served for each of the next courses and the servers would place them at the tables for the guests. For some tables the food runners were trying to increase the pace too much for the servers to really handle and one told off a server in front of the guests. This was done completely quiet but it was very obvious from the body language what was going on. I'm sure as they all spend more time out on the ocean some of the timing issues and friendly faces will be addressed.

 

[BoosGram]

That looks like it was an amazing meal . We've never done V&A, but I've almost got DH convinced to do Remy on our upcoming cruise if we can get a ressie.

 

[akluss]

Thanks for your report I am really enjoying it. Remy looks amazing! I am looking forward to more. Karyn

 

[ddeal1957]

Thank you for your report on Remy's! My DH and I will be dining at Remy's during our upcoming trip and now I can't wait for the diner after reading your report!!!!!!

 

[epcotrulz]

Thank you so much for the Remy review -- so excited for our April ressie!!

 

[mom2brooke76]

Smoked Bison w/ Fennel Salad & Blood Oranges

I feel horrible for asking this as I'm a foodie and have eaten at V&A's before, but does the yellow plate "decoration" look a little, um, strange to anyone else?

By the way, GREAT review!!!

 

[cbg1027]

Oooh I want to take a cruise on the Dream just so I can dine at Remy! Thanks so much for sharing.

Smoked Bison w/ Fennel Salad & Blood Oranges

I feel horrible for asking this as I'm a foodie and have eaten at V&A's before, but does the yellow plate "decoration" look a little, um, strange to anyone else?

By the way, GREAT review!!!

I didn't notice until you pointed it out!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Loving your trip report. Hope to hear moe about Remy and isit worth $75??

It is well worth $75! It was fine dining on the sea and amazing.

That looks like it was an amazing meal . We've never done V&A, but I've almost got DH convinced to do Remy on our upcoming cruise if we can get a ressie.

It definately was. Yay for getting your husband convinced for Remy! You should check out V&A for a good date night in the world if you are willing for a splurge.

Thanks for your report I am really enjoying it. Remy looks amazing! I am looking forward to more. Karyn

I'm glad you are enjoying my report Remy was so amazing.

Thank you for your report on Remy's! My DH and I will be dining at Remy's during our upcoming trip and now I can't wait for the diner after reading your report!!!!!!

Enjoy your meal there! It will be great and you will leave there feeling extremely full.

Thank you so much for the Remy review -- so excited for our April ressie!!

Smoked Bison w/ Fennel Salad & Blood Oranges

I feel horrible for asking this as I'm a foodie and have eaten at V&A's before, but does the yellow plate "decoration" look a little, um, strange to anyone else?

By the way, GREAT review!!!

I never even noticed that until you pointed it out! That is too funny.

Oooh I want to take a cruise on the Dream just so I can dine at Remy! Thanks so much for sharing.



I didn't notice until you pointed it out!

You should so take a Disney cruise! They are so nice and relaxing!

I'm glad I'm not the only one that didn't see it at first.

 

[twinmum]

Great TR and really enjoyed your Remy review! My hubby doesn't know it...yet...but I was able to snag a Remy reservation on our upcoming cruise. It's our first cruise ever and in principle I think he's against paying that much of a premium when "we've already paid for a perfectly fine meal." I think I should show him your review - might change his mind!

 

[gfly]

remy looks tremendous but oooo pricey...and ya didn't even have wine!

 

[mefordis]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your report! Can't wait for the rest! We arent' vacationing much because I have a 2 1/2 year old who, to put it nicely, is very stubborn and a kill joy sometimes. BUT.... I can read your trip reports and day dream!!!