These are NOT the rooms that I paid for! 3 Resorts in 10 days - Trivia Answers 9/3

[DisneyKid4Life]

Goodness, yes, I would have totally cancelled an ADR when you've got all that right there. Plus, more time to enjoy the room!
And I just LOVE how no matter how upscale the room, the hidden Mickey's are still there.

Great start to MGM (you know how I feel about the the name change) not to mention being able to walk there.
And good on you for getting the hat photo at the beginning of the day.

 

[Gin0818]

The pictures of you 2 are so great. You are remembering correctly Brenda our trips will overlap we arrive the 19th and leave the 28th and we would love to run into you guys... my 5 year old can get tired of just moms company after a few days and tries to strike up conversations with other people. Club level looks so nice, I looked at but being Jills birthday trip she had many restaurant requests so it didn't look like we would use it to much.

 

[peachmermaid]

Talk about living the dream! I totally want to stay at that resort now. I'm loving your report! I'm definitely trying a carrot cake cookie next time.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

How fantastic to run into such short lines in New Fantasyland! Perhaps ETWB is best done at night? I'd love to see it but not too excited to rush there first thing in the morning! (And I have no intention of standing in a big, long line!)

I think breakfast in your beautiful room was the right call. I'm impressed that you managed that many plates!

I LOVE the carrot cake cookie. Yum, yum, yum.

 

[teekathepony]

Hi! I followed you over from my PTR. I still have to get caught up, but I did see the room reveal already and OH. Em. GEE! I could just keep looking at that room over and over and over again! (In fact I might!)

 

[momabbate]

What I would do for a carrot cake cookie! I never knew it was at two spotts, will make getting one or two next trip. I mean two spotts means two cookies right.

 

[emmysmommy]

I love the view of Crescent Lake! What a great room, and the portholes, what a neat detail. How far is the Yacht Club to DHS? We have an ADR at the Yachtsman in October.... Love your pics from DHS, and that carrot cake cookie.... Looks scrumptious!

Hi Sarah! I'm pretty excited to return to Yachtsman too! We've had great dining experiences.

Oh yeah! That cookie is a meal but soooo good!

Wonderful updates!

Thanks!

I just found your tr and I am joining in. I am going back to read now.

Hi there pooh'smate!! Thank you for joining! Make sure to wear your helmet on that moped there!

I see you are from Nebraska (or are you? ha! ) I will be in Omaha and vicinity next month doing a tour of all the old farms from my dad's childhood. Road trip with the folks!

Goodness, yes, I would have totally cancelled an ADR when you've got all that right there. Plus, more time to enjoy the room!
And I just LOVE how no matter how upscale the room, the hidden Mickey's are still there.

Great start to MGM (you know how I feel about the the name change) not to mention being able to walk there.
And good on you for getting the hat photo at the beginning of the day.

Hi Rob! yeah.... that wasn't the first meal we cancelled.... but it was more the fault of having CL than the actual room. Or perhaps the fact that we were slugs and not early risers for breakfast during this part of the trip.

Yes, the name MGM lives on in many of our minds. I'm just old enough that I forget things so now I'm like MGM who??

You have to get the hat photo when arriving. Isn't it mandatory??

The pictures of you 2 are so great. You are remembering correctly Brenda our trips will overlap we arrive the 19th and leave the 28th and we would love to run into you guys... my 5 year old can get tired of just moms company after a few days and tries to strike up conversations with other people. Club level looks so nice, I looked at but being Jills birthday trip she had many restaurant requests so it didn't look like we would use it to much.

Hi Gin! We'll be checking into YC on the 20th so you will already be there. If you want to PM me a date/time that you want to meet up Em and I would be thrilled to do so!

Enjoy the excitement of counting down!! I need to get back over the the YC/BC thread and check in.

Talk about living the dream! I totally want to stay at that resort now. I'm loving your report! I'm definitely trying a carrot cake cookie next time.

Hi peachmermaid! Welcome and thanks for reading!! The room does cast a spell on you!! I want to go back even though I know we'll never had that room again. It really is a lovely resort. I will be posting more photos of the resort and pool area soon.

Be careful with the carrot cake cookie... you may become addicted!

How fantastic to run into such short lines in New Fantasyland! Perhaps ETWB is best done at night? I'd love to see it but not too excited to rush there first thing in the morning! (And I have no intention of standing in a big, long line!)

I think breakfast in your beautiful room was the right call. I'm impressed that you managed that many plates!

I LOVE the carrot cake cookie. Yum, yum, yum.

Hi Jenny!! I don't know what the lines for ETWB look like during the day but during EMH it was very short... like walk into the cottage short.

I see another carrot cake cookie fan is amongst us!!

Hi! I followed you over from my PTR. I still have to get caught up, but I did see the room reveal already and OH. Em. GEE! I could just keep looking at that room over and over and over again! (In fact I might!)

Hi Wendy! Thanks for reading! I love your PTR, it's so fun.

I'm creating a photobook for this trip and I'm trying to keep from having it be all about the room.

What I would do for a carrot cake cookie! I never knew it was at two spotts, will make getting one or two next trip. I mean two spotts means two cookies right.

Hi there momabbate! Yes, two locations for those beauties! If you can't wait to walk all the way to Writer's Stop you can hang a right on Sunset Blvd and go to Sweet Spells! I would seriously bring a dozen home but they crumble easily so that plan is no bueno.

 

[Cshel85]

Joining In

 

[francis6306]

I love the pictures of the details of the room (Sorry, I'm behind!). It's just so beautiful! And all that yummy food in the Club Lounge!!

That Carrot Cake Cookie looks amazing! I have to have one…. NOW!

 

[katt789]

What what!? We were at DHS on the same day! As if! Looks like you guys had a pretty good morning, the appeal of the free food makes me want to stay CL so bad, one day! Haha

 

[TeresaNJ]

How was riding Star Tours? I haven't been for years, but remembering having slight motion sickness. Did you attempt TSM at all? Going with my bff two weeks from today, and am wondering if I should not even bother with trying to get a FP for it, and just stick to TOT & RNRC.

 

[blueiis99]

Finished reading up to page 24 on Sunday. I am so happy with your TR that I have shared it with all that will listen. Lol I can't wait for the rest of the story. What a magical experience so far.

Ps. My ex-husband was a marine. So I understand your sacrifice of being the proud mom of a military man. Please thank him for his service from me and my family. I am truly grateful for his service

 

[princessmocha]

I am always fashionably late to the party, but I have decided to come out of semi-lurkedom to say how much I am enjoying your trip report (and I have read several of your dining reports too) You pictures are beautiful and what an awesome upgrade you got!!!

 

[blessedmom4]

I have spent the last 30 minutes catching up...when you get an upgrade you get an UPGRADE! SOOOO happy for you! That suite would be PERFECT for my brood...how awesome for you and Emmy! And may I just say I must NOW have a cheesecake cookie...it is on my radar!

 

[MrsB1228]

All caught up again and am loving your trip report! I really enjoyed seeing the D-Land pics of you, Em and Linda, looks like you gals had a wonderful time! The carrot cake cookie is pretty amazing, my sister and I split one on our last holiday and it was love at first bite for both of us, lol! Definitely on my list of repeats this year!

Thanks so much for sharing Brenda, looking forward to more!

 

[KatMark]

I seriously cannot take any more vacations...I get way too far behind.

All I can say is WOW! What an absolutely awesome upgrade. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Looks like a fun way to spend your birthday...with a DIS Meet!

Can't wait to read more.

 

[emmysmommy]

Seriously.. I'm going to update today. Really, truly, an update is coming your way!

Joining In

Thank you Cshel for joining!! Glad you are here.

I love the pictures of the details of the room (Sorry, I'm behind!). It's just so beautiful! And all that yummy food in the Club Lounge!!

That Carrot Cake Cookie looks amazing! I have to have one…. NOW!

Ha! Hi Christen! No worries... you can take your time and go at your own pace.. this is a self guided tour!

Let me know if you need someone to do a cookie run with you to get one of those carrot cake cookies.

What what!? We were at DHS on the same day! As if! Looks like you guys had a pretty good morning, the appeal of the free food makes me want to stay CL so bad, one day! Haha

Hi Kat! Seriously, we were there on the same day!! That would have been funny if you were in the background for any of our photos! True story - that actually happened in one of my dining reviews. Some girl read it and said she noticed us from when she was there and I posted a photo and she was in it! It's a small world (and no I'm not singing that song!!)

How was riding Star Tours? I haven't been for years, but remembering having slight motion sickness. Did you attempt TSM at all? Going with my bff two weeks from today, and am wondering if I should not even bother with trying to get a FP for it, and just stick to TOT & RNRC.

Hi Teresa! I don't get motion sickness so Star Tours doesn't bother me - I rather like the motion. It does get a bit shaky/bumpy but since they have re-done it into a 3D version it is so much better.

TSM was a strike out for us... we just can't wait in line an hour for what is 20 min. on average in CA. I would say definitely try to get a FP. We didn't only because we didn't make it to the park early enough. Enjoy your trip!!

Finished reading up to page 24 on Sunday. I am so happy with your TR that I have shared it with all that will listen. Lol I can't wait for the rest of the story. What a magical experience so far.

Ps. My ex-husband was a marine. So I understand your sacrifice of being the proud mom of a military man. Please thank him for his service from me and my family. I am truly grateful for his service

Hi there blueiis! Thank you for reading. I really appreciate your kind comments! I do pass on greetings to my son since I want every man and woman who is serving our country in whatever capacity to know that there are people they may never know that thank them! So thank you for understanding and knowing what it is like since you had a husband in the Marines.

I am always fashionably late to the party, but I have decided to come out of semi-lurkedom to say how much I am enjoying your trip report (and I have read several of your dining reports too) You pictures are beautiful and what an awesome upgrade you got!!!

Hi princessmocha!! I am so glad that you came out of semi-lurkdom! You are most welcome here so thank you for reading!!

Awww you are nice...yes, the upgrade was most amazing!

I have spent the last 30 minutes catching up...when you get an upgrade you get an UPGRADE! SOOOO happy for you! That suite would be PERFECT for my brood...how awesome for you and Emmy! And may I just say I must NOW have a cheesecake cookie...it is on my radar!

Hi Judy!! Glad that you are caught up! You, Pete, and your 4 kids would definitely be able to spread out and enjoy a stay in that room.

I need to figure out a way to re-create that carrot cake cookie although that could be a scary obsession if I started to eat those regularly.

All caught up again and am loving your trip report! I really enjoyed seeing the D-Land pics of you, Em and Linda, looks like you gals had a wonderful time! The carrot cake cookie is pretty amazing, my sister and I split one on our last holiday and it was love at first bite for both of us, lol! Definitely on my list of repeats this year!

Thanks so much for sharing Brenda, looking forward to more!

Hi Carol! I'm glad you are here and getting caught up! Definitely it is always a delight to see Linda! She is so cute and sweet!

You are definitely in my I Love Carrot Cake Cookies from DHS Club! To remain in the club you must have a delicious carrot cake cookie everytime you go to WDW!

I seriously cannot take any more vacations...I get way too far behind.

All I can say is WOW! What an absolutely awesome upgrade. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Looks like a fun way to spend your birthday...with a DIS Meet!

Can't wait to read more.

Hi Kathy! NO, you must take vacations so we can read your TRs! No worries getting caught up... I have trouble keeping up with my own TR.

Thanks, it was a lovely way to spend my special day by getting together with friends and loved ones at a very happy place!

Happy Friday!

 

[blessedmom4]

Hi Judy!! Glad that you are caught up! You, Pete, and your 4 kids would definitely be able to spread out and enjoy a stay in that room.

I need to figure out a way to re-create that carrot cake cookie although that could be a scary obsession if I started to eat those regularly.
Okay, so I am cooking and reading and saw this so I HAD to do a quick google search...don't hate me!

Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches

(Makes one dozen sandwiches)

Cookie:

½ cup raisins

3 Tbs. rum*

1 plain yellow cake mix

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 ½ cups grated carrot (from about 3 medium carrots)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs


Frosting:

8 Tbs. (one stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened (regular or reduced fat, not fat free)

1 lb. powdered sugar, sifted

2 Tbs. crushed pineapple, drained


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place raisins and rum in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for about 35-40 seconds. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, cinnamon, raisin mixture, carrots, oil and eggs; mix well. Place by rounded tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet; 2 dozen cookies, total. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Cool completely.

Cream the butter and cream cheese together until no lumps remain. Add the powdered sugar in batches, and mix until well-combined. Beat an additional minute, until light in fluffy. Add pineapple and mix well. If the frosting is not firm enough, refrigerate for a few minutes. If it is too thick, add a little more pineapple.

Ice the bottom (flat side, that was on the cookie sheet) of one of the cookies with a generous amount of the frosting. Place another cookie (flat side down) on top to form a sandwich. You may have some frosting left over, as my husband said my filling-to-cookie ratio was too high. I said that such a thing is not possible; you can never have too much cream cheese frosting. Adjust it to your personal tastes.

* If you don’t want to use rum, you can use nearly any flavorful liquid. This particular time, I used Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum. You could use plain rum, Grand Marnier, bourbon, or even orange juice or pineapple juice. I just think it’s really important to plump the raisins. I hate dry, hard raisins in baked goods. Of course, if you don’t like raisins, just leave them out entirely!
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I have trouble keeping up with my own TR.

Oh my, don't I understand THAT!

 

[emmysmommy]

Monday February 25, 2013: Day 3, Part 3

As a reminder.. we were eating lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In.

Inside restaurant:

We were seated at a 4-top TV table - this feels just like home eating in front of the TV! Our favorite server was not working that day but our server, Nicole, did a good job. She may have been light on the antics, in fact, I don’t really recall any but she was friendly and helpful.

When Em didn’t know what to order, since she didn’t want a big meal, Nicole suggested a kid portion of fried chicken. It was the perfect suggestion and something I would order myself. However, this day I decided to go back to what I ordered last summer, the Chicken Caesar salad. Light enough to fill me and delicious enough to satisfy. One day I’ll talk the kid into sharing the sampler platter.

Chicken Caesar Salad

Child's Chicken Meal

50’s PT brought back the view-finders that have the dessert menus. They had stopped using them because so many guests were getting conjunctivitis. I guess it took them awhile to figure out that they need to disinfect them between guests’ use. They should have asked any pre-school teacher or mom for advice on that one! Once someone placed that idea in the suggestion box, they resurrected these fun little toys.

I wasn’t interested in dessert but I sure was interested in a look at the menu in the view-finder. Oh look! A brownie sundae. Oh, and there’s a s’more treat! As good as these desserts looked, they couldn’t tempt me enough to actually order one. Em did fall for their suggestive powers and ordered the apple cobbler a la mode. It didn’t look like anything spectacular but she liked it. While she was eating her dessert I dug into my carrot cake cookie that I had saved in my bag. I tried to discreetly tear chunks off and eat it since I figured it would be entirely rude if I asked for a plate for the dessert that I brought with me!

Apple Cobbler a la mode

Walt's Disneyland dedication speech is played on the TVs

With lunch behind us it was time to get our rock-n-roller coaster on with our Fast Passes. Of course I had to stop every time I saw a photopass photographer, today was no exception. I had to ask the dude to take our “terrified” picture in front of ToT. I suppose this photopass dude was just the point and shoot variety instead of the creative version.

Our I'm NOT Terrified Pose:

While waiting in the queue for the ride, there was a group of young men that had apparently not been on the ride before. Every time the ride took off they started hooting and hollering as if they were actually on the ride. They asked if the ride really went upside down and were so excited. I would say so cute! But I think they would be offended. We didn’t end up being in the same car as them so I have no idea if their excitement pre-ride was a toned down version on the ride. Goodness if it was!

The ride didn’t disappoint and our ride photo showed two goofy gals enjoying the stretch limo ride!

We decided to go back to the hotel and rest up before our dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse. On our way out we enjoyed a few more antics of the street performers and more important…. I had to give Bo attention before leaving…Em gave him attention as well but not in such a loving way! She was getting tired of him gazing lovingly at me… ok, not exactly a gaze rather like a vacant stare but Em didn’t appreciate his attitude.

Does the “Cover Story” sign girl remind anyone else of Napoleon Dynamite? “It took me like four hours to finish the shading on your upper lip.”

Before exiting we stopped at Guest Relations and Em picked up a Birthday button. Ok, so her birthday was 3 weeks earlier….

We took the boat back to YC...here's a few photos along the way.

Next Up: The sneaky Mousekeeper!

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Next TR Installment >>>​

 

[emmysmommy]

Monday February 25, 2013: Day 3, Part 4​

We took the Friendship Boat back to YC where we chilled. I had fallen asleep watching TV in the sunroom while Em was showering. When I awoke and went into the master bedroom, I happened upon a lady turning down the bed. I startled her as much as she surprised me! Smarty pants that I am I deducted that she must be mousekeeping by the uniform with the nametag and the handful of chocolates. Since she didn’t speak English and appeared to be apologizing, I told her no worries. It could have been a lot more awkward…. Seriously awkward had I not been in a fully clothed state.

See what the chocolate fairy left?

Guess what I was watching on TV? "They don't keep me around for my looks" I love Judge Judy!

A light rain to make the nap-time better!

More room photos before dinner:

We were all dolled up and ready to go downstairs to Yachtsman Steakhouse for our 7:30pm ADR.

Dining backstory…. This was our 2nd time dining at YSH. We had dined for the first time last August. Our server Ricardo was absolutely amazing. He had given me his contact information last summer when I told him that we planned to return in the near future. I emailed Ricardo a few weeks before our trip and told him that Em and I were planning to dine on a particular date/time would love for him to be our server again. He responded immediately and said it would be his pleasure.

Ricardo or Ricky as the staff affectionately call him

While we were waiting to be seated we saw Ricardo peek out the door looking for someone, I would have waved had we made eye contact but my face didn’t register. When our buzzer went off and we were being escorted to our table Ricardo came over to greet us. He apologized for not recognizing us which was no problem….poor guy felt even worse when we were seated at our table and there was a Yacht Club postcard with a kind greeting from Ricardo welcoming us back that was addressed to Michael and Brenda. Now it made sense that he was expecting a married couple and not a mother daughter duo. (He must not have read the part in my email about it being Em’s birthday celebration dinner.) No matter, he was as kind and gracious as last time we saw him.

Sweet postcard

I started my meal with a Bloody Mary that paired very nicely with the onion rolls. (Last time I had a nice Sterling Vintner’s Collection Meritage but this time I didn’t feel like mixing up my alcohol choices. Plus we did have Epcot EMH ahead of us… lightweight that I am I had to drink responsibly if I wanted to see Malestrom!)

Bread and amazing onion pull apart rolls

For starters, I ordered a shrimp cocktail – extra horseradish please, while Em chose the Caesar salad. Both were awesome. The shrimp was served on shaved ice in an apothecary jar – such an interesting presentation.

I learned this trip that braised beef short-ribs are my new favorite entrée replacing the filets. I tried a bite of Em’s at Jiko and immediately wished I had ordered that option (oh, and the fact that my filet was overcooked.) At YSH, I ordered the short ribs with the baby root veggies and heirloom apple and it was completely awesome!!! Since I did not want to offend the chef by swapping the accompaniment from the root veggie puree to the delicious creamy mashed potatoes, Ricardo said that he would take care of me. Not sure what I expected but he delivered my entrée with a side of mashed potatoes that was more than enough for two people.

Em decided that she wanted to conquer the 16 oz. boneless Rib Eye. That is a dude size slab of meat! She was able to eat about ½ and decided that she wasn’t going to let the other ½ go without being boxed up for a second go round! She wasn’t such a fan of the bone marrow but I was just impressed that she actually tried it.

Braised Beef short-ribs

16 oz Rib Eye

The other 1/2 of the Rib Eye

Side of Mashed Potatoes

I passed on dessert but Em decided to have the Yachtsman Sundae. I didn’t take a photo since it was about that time that Ricardo and I were getting very chatty. The clock was ticking and we needed to get to Epcot so we took some photos out front with Ricardo, gave hugs and told him that we would see him again.

Ricardo gave Em a ribbon wrapped menu since she was doing a dining review. Very thoughtful down to the small details!

Next Up: Late night high seas adventures!

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Next TR Installment >>>​