Relax Keep Calm A Taking It Easy Adult Trip to Food and Wine The End!! 5.21.15

[TinksThree]

You mean you're missing the USM game to go to Disney?!?!?

Can I go too?

I'm looking forward to reading about your trip. Just make sure you leave some food for when we arrive on 10/05!

I don't know if you ever get My Magic + (old Photo Pass deal) but here is a new item just offered this week...

“Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it’s off to work we go!” That song brings up such great memories from my childhood favorite, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” We’ve been busy working on top-secret enhancements to the Disney PhotoPass Service and the Memory Maker product, and we’re excited to announce a new “gem” today.

What would you say if I told you that you could take home a special gem that would have you reliving all the fun and excitement of your moments aboard the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction … your race through the diamond mine as you whisked across the rolling stone bridges, through diamond pass and into the forest to the Dwarfs’ cottage?

Just released today, we are excited to add a photo and video memento at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Now, when you ride the attraction with a MagicBand and a linked Memory Maker entitlement you will have your photo and video automatically associated to your My Disney Experience account.

You’ll also be able to view, download and share the photo and video of your Family & Friends Connections and Managed Guests who also experienced Seven Dwarfs Mine Train while wearing a MagicBand.

They also do this for Tower of Terror!

Have fun. You could always stop in Hattiesburg on your way down and say hi!

Whew! USM barely hung on to that game! I managed to schedule this trip to miss not one but two games! We did get stuck just north of Hattiesburg (where the mobile home places are) with road work...we lost almost one hour sitting in that terrible traffic!

I skip the photos when it's just me and Keith because I can't get him to take hardly any pics, but this looks so cool that I think I am definitely getting this on our next trip with the kids!

Yay! Y'all are there!

Hope y'all are having a fantastic trip and I can't wait to hear all about it. Your plans all look great!

And by the way....Congrats on Miss State beating LSU last night. Y'all played a great game and deserved that "W"!



Sounds like I may need to skip the New Orleans food offerings then. Sounds like they won't be up to par for this cajun girl.

As usual, my plans have taken drastic turns! I am used to this now though...Keith always changes things when we arrive and finally wants to discuss things!

That game was unreal, thanks!! We were at dinner for most of it and Keith couldn't believe he was missing it! He was sure LSU was going to blow State away...he is not a believer in Mullens.

I am also going to throw another warning out there on the make your own pasta...it was really good but OMG at the oil they use! I bet she poured 2 cups in the pan for mine alone! Her face when she saw my eyes and chin drop was priceless! And it's enough to feed a family!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Joining in - we love Food & Wine Festival ... actually, it felt weird to go this year not during Food & Wine Festival

Looks like a great food line-up. Cali Grill is one of our favorites and I am sure you will love it. We ate at the Brown Derby for the first time this past trip and really loved the meal - though it took a long time (we were sat 40 mins after ADR and then just a slow paced meal)

Enjoy!

 

[TinksThree]

A really quick update while we are taking a breather! The pics aren't great due to Keith not being overly patient with me taking the pics...so sorry about the quality! Plus due to the rain, I have been relying on my phone camera A LOT!!

Here is just a small sampling!!



In China we got the Mongolian Beef in Steamed bun and the Chicken Potstickers:





Overal, both were good but the potstickers won out. The Mongolian Beef filling was pretty tasty! I'd probably get more of both although others would probably top out first!

Next up was South Korea and the Pork Lettuce cups...good, actually really good and we wish we hadn't shared this one and purchased two!





Over by Germany, we stopped at the Brewer's Collection where Keith enjoyed the Oktoberfest and I had the Grapefruit beer...which I love!! And I am not a big beer drinker!



This is the grapefruit beer:



This is $3.50 and I feel like a pretty good deal!

Singapore was next and Keith and I shared the Mahi Mahi..DELICIOUS!!! This was really good although the sauce was slightly too salty for my taste...still I'd eat this one again!



And sadly this is the worst picture. The sun was so bright I couldn't actually see the screen and Keith wasn't giving me the option to find a good picture local!



Italy had several options but I chose the ravioli and Chicken Marsala (I'll leave the fancy names for the menu!



The ravioli was OMG good!!! Loved this one! And the portion size was very surprising to me!



The Chicken Marsala was good and we enjoyed it. It was a little bland bt I kind of wonder if that was simply due to the ravioli I was eating at the same time...may need to re-sample that one!!



And Hawaii...which is actually at the section where Future World meets World Showcase on Canada's side.



We grabbed two of the pork sliders because this was one of our favorites in 2012 and it was as good as I remembered!



We still have more to munch on, so I'll have more later. This definitely as great as some of the postings I have seen on Facebook, but it is my two cents worth!!

Tonight we eat at Ohana...so no Food and Wine today to save room!! Until next time!!

 

[TinksThree]

Joining in - we love Food & Wine Festival ... actually, it felt weird to go this year not during Food & Wine Festival

Looks like a great food line-up. Cali Grill is one of our favorites and I am sure you will love it. We ate at the Brown Derby for the first time this past trip and really loved the meal - though it took a long time (we were sat 40 mins after ADR and then just a slow paced meal)

Enjoy!

Welcome!! Food and Wine is one of my favorite times to go!! I'll wait for a "real"report on Cali Grill but I will agree with you!

 

[amandaw]

Glad I didn't miss too much while I was gone. Your F&W selections all look good. The potstickers in China are one of my favorites. I wanted to try some selections in Italy but ran out of time....and belly space.

 

[TinksThree]

Glad I didn't miss too much while I was gone. Your F&W selections all look good. The potstickers in China are one of my favorites. I wanted to try some selections in Italy but ran out of time....and belly space.

You didn't miss much at all! I got back from our trip and fell off the face of the earth! It has been hard getting into the post Disney spirit this time around! Our trip was great but I came back, read some threads on other boards and found my Disney spark disappearing. I keep thinking I'm going to come start the post trip report but life keeps happening!!

There were several things that I wish I could have gone back for. Time and the weather just weren't on our sides a lot of the trip!! I hope y'alls trip was great!!

 

[TinksThree]

I am going to attempt to actually complete something I started...I may or may not have anyone follow along but I feel the need to at least put some closure on this trip! We returned and "real life"got in the way and quiet honestly drug me down so perhaps this will be "therapy" to remember an overall fun couple's trip! Also I paid off our trip for late May yesterday and my countdown is getting "real" so I have more excitement that may help me close this trip out! I know this will be different from anything I normally do since, honestly, remembering some things may just not happen! Too much "life" has occurred since September!

Reading back over my plans I can say that as usual all best laid plans are made to be changed and rain put a real damper on things. And I am not just talking rain but R.A.I.N!!!

So I will pick up with Day 1 which was our 2nd travel day, September 20, 2014. We actually left on Friday afternoon around 2 pm and stopped in Lake City around 11 pm. We got up and continued south, arriving at my Happy Home Away From Home around 10 am. It always warms my heart to see this!



And then we were at our resort! One of the few plans that did not change!!



I had done online check in so once in the lobby, everything was painless and quick.



We were soon headed to our room in Alligator Bayou. Since I'd not been in this section before, I was excited to see what the rooms were like! I found the rooms very charming! And of course I took loads of pictures!!



The sitting area...the table and chairs were made of "logs"



A window seat that also serves as the air conditioner...



From the doorway, looking into the room....the trundle bed and tv...



The bedding is simple but has fun bayou touches!









Lantern Lighting...



The bathroom area was cozy and carried out the bayou, cabin theme...





Ironing board, iron, "closet" and safe area next to the sink...



The shower area had wood planks to give it that out-doorsy feeling!



And a close-up of the shower curtain...



The sink/dressing area



The standard separation curtain between the sleeping and dressing area...



And again, the little touches that I love and makes the Disney resorts so unique and special...



My morning must have! Coffee!!



The television and trundle bed area which I thought was so cute although we did not need it!









Notice the name of the shipping company and the date!! LOVE THIS!!!!!





Artwork in the room...



Yes this is the floor...yes I took it on purpose...the details are everywhere!!



The mini fridge is well disguised!



I thought the room was great and later I took lots of pictures of the outdoor areas. To me the details Disney puts into the themes of their resorts make everything that much more special! After unloading our belongings, we decided to head to the pool! We went to the quiet pool for a bit...



And then we decided we it was time for food!! So off to the food court we went!!







Inside the food court area:



Continued in following post....

 

[TinksThree]

I mentioned in a reply a few posts up about the create-your-own-pasta. Well let's revisit that food choice!

You get your choice of pasta, mix-ins, and meat. You are able to basically...create your pasta!! Wow!! I LOVE pasta! I am a carb-ovor! So I chose fettuccine, pesto sauce, mushrooms, artichokes, sun-dried tomotes and shrimp. As I watched the girl start the process...which included pouring 2 cups of oil into the pan (ok maybe I am exaggerating, but if so not by much!) my jaw dropped and eyes popped out. No telling what she thought of me but all I could think is I don't use that much oil at home in a month!! After cooking my pasta creation, she places it into a nice little container and tops it with a yummy breadstick!!



I thankfully had a plate so I could pull out the pasta creation sans the oil it was floating in!



Overall, though, the pasta was delicious and I really enjoyed it! But here's the other thing...like most food offerings at Disney this is massive and easily shared! I put a dent in this but the rest was saved for later.

Keith chose something a little easier:



Too much time has passed to remember the exact name but it was a turkey sandwich and he ate all of it so it must have been pretty good!

After our lunch, we decided to take the boat to Downtown Disney for a bit. We had a late dinner ADR and really nothing else planned so we were going with the flow!!

To the boat dock we went...



And soon we were floating along the Sassagoula River...so relaxing and lovely!!







As we approach Downtown Disney we note the ominous clouds...so we start crossing our fingers our later night plans do not get ruined by rain!





We loved the new bridge that has been built, although no picture at this time was taken. We wandered around Downtown Disney for a short bit, looking in a few stores. No pictures of our time here but we didn't stay long. Instead, we decided to hit up a park! We decided to make our way to a resort and then from there to the park...so to the bus stop we went! I have several pictures I took (like this one) for no particular reason but here's a reflection picture from our bus ride!



I'll stop for a break here and share where we were heading next!! I am crossing my fingers that my excitement for 50 days from today will fuel this TR to a fast and complete ending!!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

You may not remember every little detail, but I have no doubt you would remember the R.A.I.N.

I probably have seen them before, but WOW, the Alligator Bayou rooms sure are rustic. Almost something you'd expect at Fort Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge.

Ooh, I didn't know the the mods had coffee. One of my fav things staying at WL was coffee in the room, lol. Good to know.

 

[TinksThree]

You may not remember every little detail, but I have no doubt you would remember the R.A.I.N.

I probably have seen them before, but WOW, the Alligator Bayou rooms sure are rustic. Almost something you'd expect at Fort Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge.

Ooh, I didn't know the the mods had coffee. One of my fav things staying at WL was coffee in the room, lol. Good to know.

That rain was so epic! I may never forget that rain!! I thought the same thing about the rusticness and comparing it to what I think Ft Wilderness cabins would be like. It is rustic but no outhouses...so I am good! They do have coffee makers!! And it is actually pretty decent coffee!

And I am so glad you saw my update and replied!!

 

[saintstickets]

Nice update Tisa! Glad you're back. Port Orleans is one place we have never visited but looking at your pics and those on other TRs, I think it might be where we would like to stay if, or I should say WHEN, we use up our DVC points and want to go to WDW again. It reminds me of OKW in the sense that it is more of a resort and less of a hotel. Looking forward to more updates!

 

[TinksThree]

Nice update Tisa! Glad you're back. Port Orleans is one place we have never visited but looking at your pics and those on other TRs, I think it might be where we would like to stay if, or I should say WHEN, we use up our DVC points and want to go to WDW again. It reminds me of OKW in the sense that it is more of a resort and less of a hotel. Looking forward to more updates!

I'm glad you found me... again!! Even if you don't stay there, I'd highly suggest taking the boat from DTD (or soon to be Disney Springs!!) to Port Orleans and just walk around and maybe even take in a Yee Haw Bob show!! I can't imagine anyone regretting it!!

 

[ksl5f123]

Girl, I am off the DIS for like 18 months (long story - I'll share later) and you seriously go on 5 trips!! Yes, I went back and read everything. I am so jealous you have made it to Food and Wine twice now! I really hope you do finish this TR. Oh, and, EWWWW to too much oil on your pasta.

 

[TinksThree]

Girl, I am off the DIS for like 18 months (long story - I'll share later) and you seriously go on 5 trips!! Yes, I went back and read everything. I am so jealous you have made it to Food and Wine twice now! I really hope you do finish this TR. Oh, and, EWWWW to too much oil on your pasta.

Oh my goodness!! Hello!!! I am so glad you found my TR!! I really plan to finish this one up! We got on a huge Disney trip roll and in 2012 it seemed like opportunities kept coming! I'm impressed you read all the TRs! I had looked for you several times and figured life had gotten in the way of the Dis. I see you have a PTR and a new TR (just subscribed!) so I'm going to catch up with you now!! Yes..the oil was just a little too much!

 

[TinksThree]

First I hope everyone has had a wonderful Easter!

Second, I was playing around, organizing my photo files and apparently messed up something with my photos so anyone that looked at my posts, I apologize for the pictures disappearing. I also realized that my lunch pictures had two identical pictures, so I have that corrected now too! Getting used to this new layout is interesting!!

And now, an update!!!

I left off with us taking the boat to DTD and then catching a bus to a resort to visit a park pre-dinner ADR. In a short few minutes we will have rode our first three rides: boat, bus and monorail!!! Because YES I count transportation as an attraction! So since we are about to catch a monorail ride...I think it may be obvious that our park destination is MAGIC KINGDOM!!! And the Contemporary is where we catch that monorail ride!







This is the first time since 2000 that Magic Kingdom is our first park to visit. This is pretty huge since MK is Keith's least favorite park. Also, he actually participates in several things on this evening which impresses me even more. I must say he was pretty accommodating this trip with me only having to go solo a few times. I had a HUGE reason for wanting to go to MK tonight though...which I will get to later. Also, since we are using a whole day ticket for a few hours, we will have a full day later in the week that doesn't have a ticket. This is fine though since I have become a firm believer in down days that do not include the madness of parks.

We arrive at Magic Kingdom and the train station is decked out in its fall fineness. I have been in a lot of different times of the year and as awesome as Christmas is I really think fall is my favorite, at least for the Main Street area. Fall is my favorite time of the year too, though, so that may make me bias!





I'm pretty excited to be "home"!!!! (Ok I had three cameras going...my DSLR, my IPhone and my point and shoot-which thankfully I brought along-again, we will get to that later!- but sometimes my pictures seem to be out of order. This is actually from the boat ride to DTD a little earlier!)



You will notice several selfies...it is one of the few ways for me to prove I am on the trip. Keith is adverse to pictures although through the trip he does become slightly more open minded! (You will see!!)

We make our way to Tomorrowland and I actually refrain from taking pictures until we reach this spot!



First up is one of Keith's favorite attractions, and mine too! We LOVE "Monster's Inc" and Monster's University" (actually watched those last night!) so we decided we needed to visit the Laugh Floor!!



As usual, the wait was minimal since we really only had to wait for the prior show to conclude. So while waiting in the holding area, I snapped a few pictures:









We went into Monster World and came out laughing...SUCCESS!!!

Then we head for our main reason for coming to Magic Kingdom but then I spot Frozone and Mr. Incredible!! I'm SUCH a PIXAR FAN!!! I love "The Incredibles" too and I'm excited for the sequel!! "Honey, Where's my Super Suit?!?!?" I think he found it!! No Meet and Greet for me but I snagged a quick photo!



And then we reach our destination!



Carousel of Progress was going down for refurb on September 22 and this was really my only chance to see it unless we came on Sunday. But by fitting in a park visit on Saturday worked just perfect! I adore Carousel of Progress and if Disney ever removes this attraction I will be so mad!!!

We exit CoP humming "It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" and trying to decide what to do next. We have no plans, no FPPs, no goals and sometimes that is very lovely! Just go with it and see what happens. Well we are in Tomorrowland and there is one attraction that we have NEVER been on. I keep hearing people talk about it and even when I plan to try it, it never works out. I have never convinced Keith to give it a whirl but I don't think that will be an issue again!



Yep folks...I have been to WDW 12 times and this is the first time I have ever been on The PeopleMover! Shocking I know...don't judge!!

We board ASAP and Keith makes himself at home...



And I soak up the views...





















Those pesky rain clouds!!



For anyone new to my TRs, expect picture overload at times.

We've explored the future and decide to wander into the past.

Continued in the following post...

 

[TinksThree]

We head to Frontierland to check out some wait times. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad wasn't too bad...maybe 30 minutes so we jump in the stand-by line.











The sun was beginning to set and the sky was very pretty...









We begin moving again...



And then we round the corner and see the sky once more...



And before we know it we are zooming off on the wildest ride in the west!!!

What a view!!





I love this ride at night! It's so much fun...well it's fun regardless but still the night time is different!

We head off in search of something else and Splash Mountain loomed ahead:



But that wasn't where we were heading...we were ready to take a trip by rail...a tamer railway!



That's the only picture from the WDW Railroad trip! But we rode all the way around to Main Street because it was getting close to our ADR! I did manage a few pictures around the Train Station though!

















So long for now Magic Kingdom!!



Our ADR was one I had been looking forward too albeit with some trepidation! I was slightly concerned about the menu and my meat and potatoes man! We either walked or took the monorail...I can't remember, but we were heading back to The Contemporary!

I am going to stop here and come back and report on how our dinner faired....

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I'm glad you're gradually getting used to the new format. I went away on the last trip with one format and the changeover happened while I was away. So yeah, a bit of a jolt to return to.

Wow, that is actually pretty cool to hit the boat, bus and monorail in succession.

I agree. It's hard to compare Christmas and Fall decorations since they are so different, but I really love the Fall MK decorations.

Awww, I adore that you made a special MK trip for CoP. Not many would do that. That's so awesome.

Wow, I am a little (ok a lot) shocked you had never been on the Peoplemover before???? Well, at least you can't say that anymore.

 

[TinksThree]

I'm glad you're gradually getting used to the new format. I went away on the last trip with one format and the changeover happened while I was away. So yeah, a bit of a jolt to return to.

Some of it I really like better once I get used to it but the one thing driving me crazy is not being able to look at the boards on my phone! Ads are constantly popping open!

Wow, that is actually pretty cool to hit the boat, bus and monorail in succession.

I thought so too!!

I agree. It's hard to compare Christmas and Fall decorations since they are so different, but I really love the Fall MK decorations.

Awww, I adore that you made a special MK trip for CoP. Not many would do that. That's so awesome.

I simply love this attraction...it may not be a cool coaster or the most current technology but it has what I love about Disney!

Wow, I am a little (ok a lot) shocked you had never been on the Peoplemover before???? Well, at least you can't say that anymore.

I know...right!?!?!? My family doesn't listen to me when I try to get them to try something new...but let's just say it won't be the last time!!

 

[TinksThree]

Alright I am going to wrap up Day 1 with our big night out!!

As I had said earlier, I was slightly concerned about the menu for our ADR but I was also very excited! We had dinner plans at California Grille and I hoped fireworks were timed just right! Now another concern I had was regarding the type of restaurant. I am married to a very no-nonsense guy who isn't into froo-froo. We also don't usually eat at real fancy places so I was a little apprehensive. I will say this ADR was more for me but I was hoping Keith would enjoy the night too!



Another thing I was concerned about was our wait time, but that concern was for naught! We arrived at The Contemporary and checked in at the desk. We were immediately whisked up the elevator to California Grille. I must say an escorted elevator ride can make you feel important! Once we had arrived, we had a very short wait...maybe 2 minutes before we were being taken to our table. During our wait I snapped one picture:



We were seated in a room facing the lake. The room (we were told the room's name but I cannot not remember) was an addition during the remodel. It had maybe 8 tables in the room and was very dimly lit compared to the main dining area. At first Keith and I felt out of place because we felt under-dressed. Most of the people in this room were very, very dressed up but eventually a group came in with "park attire" on--you know the standard shorts and t-shirts, not bad but dressed down more than us...we were back in a comfort zone!!!

Back to the room, though...due to the intimacy of the room we were put in, there are no real pictures. It was just as well since I could just enjoy the moment and soak it all in!! I did snap one picture from my chair:



You might can tell how much darker our little corner was than the outer area. The windows past the wine case is the fireworks viewing area and faces MK and The Grand Floridian.

I did manage to find a couple of internet pictures for the food. First off the bread was amazing!!



For an appetizer, we ordered the Three-Meat Signature Meatballs - piquillo pepper and parmesan grits, eggplant piperade, tiny basil. (No picture) These were so delicious!! We managed to eat the three in no time at all!!

Next up were the entrees. I will say Keith is an "all you can eat" type of guy so the prices vs quantity on this meal didn't impress him much. He would look at the quantity of food and say "This is it?!"

My choice was the scallops and it had a corn relish that was absolutely delicious!! Unfortunately I no longer see this on the menu! Of course I know one of the wonderful things about California Grille is the fact they use local produce and food products so the menu can be fluid. Maybe these are seasonal...not sure but I'm glad I was able to enjoy them last September!



And Keith got the Oak-fired Filet of Beef - Florida Heirloom Tomato Risotto, Aged Balsamic, Tiny Basil, Tomato Butter. He pretty much all but licked his plate so I would say that this was a winner! I did have a little taste of the steak and it was very tender and tasty!



For dessert we enjoyed cheesecake with blueberry topping (no picture and the cheesecake listed doesn't sound the same) and Warm Homemade Fritters - Banana-stuffed, Cinnamon-dusted Fritters complemented with a Trio of Dipping Sauces.



The cheesecake was fine...to me a basic cheesecake. The fritters was so yummy though and although I was almost stuffed to the gills...I forced myself to not waste any of these little guys!!!

Overall, the food was amazing and our server was great! He was spot on and we were never waiting for anything! Keith even has suggested going back but he doesn't like using two dining credits at one place. I know we will return though!! I think I would enjoy it a lot more (even more) next time because I can be a worrier and have anxiety over new things at times...especially when I build something up in my head and then worry it will be a total flop! Such as Keith enjoying the restaurant and food and then the whole timing of the fireworks. Well, needless to say, as with most things people worry about, there's no reason to worry!!

We finished dessert and got our check paid up in perfect timing for the 10 pm fireworks!! I also managed a front row view! And no rain!!!!! Looking back over the trip, this was a minor miracle in itself!!!

So let's head outside the California Grille to the viewing area, shall we??









Looking back towards the restaurant:



And then Wishes! begins!!!!!!



















It was absolutely perfect!! Well, except the beginning when a group of six guys had followed their female dinner partners onto the viewing area and proceeded to have a full fledged conversation during Wishes!! But they got eyed by many people and moved the conversation back indoors!!

Here are two very short videos I took also...and the conversation is from the above mentioned guys!





This was the perfect ending to a pretty great day! We had managed to start this trip just as I'd planned...relaxed!!!

 

[ksl5f123]

What fun to try new things - first the Peoplemover and then California Grill! I love the presentation of the food at Cali Grill. It is just so pretty! I kinda agree with Keith about the price/amount of food, but it is even more about the experience.

ETA: Great fireworks pictures! You had a great view. Could you hear the music well?