EAT ALL THE THINGS!!! Early December 2015 WDW visit - Updated 4/3 Trader Sam's & Olivia's Cafe

[twinkybel81]

Hi everybody!​

I'm new to this section of the boards. I try not to use my real name in public forums for security reasons, so I'll just go by twinkybel here.

A little about me, I'm a 30-something who loves my husband, my stepson, Disney, baking, cooking, and eating! (just to name a few). We live about 20 minutes from Disneyland and have APs there, though we don't visit as often as I'd like, and we make it out to the World about once a year. This coming year will bring more trips as we are planning a vow renewal through DFTW for December 2016!!!!! If you'd like to follow that PJ, you can find it here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/twinkybel81-workmantms-wishes-vr-december-2016.3311200/

So to be honest, I have no idea what all is supposed to be in a pre-trip, and consequently I don't know what isn't supposed to be in one, so if I'm doing this wrong, please let me know in a kind fashion.

We will be out at the World from December 5-12. We are DVC owners and will be staying in a studio at SSR for the first 3 nights (unless our wait list comes through) and at AKL-Kidani in a studio for the remaining 4 nights. We are planning on doing the dining plan for the entire stay (with the exception of one or two OOP meals), partially because I really like the convenience of having the food paid for ahead of time. We are waffling between doing the DDP for the SSR reservation and the DDxDP for the AKL reservation or just doing DDxDP for both. Luckily, we have time to decide and already have all the ADRs we want no matter which direction we decide to go in.

Here are our dining plans as of 8/21 (w/ the assumption of DDxDP for all reservations) which include lots of first visits:

12/5:

-lunch at Boardwalk Pizza Window? (OOP) or using snack credits at Boardwalk Bakery
-drinks at Trader Sam's
-dinner at Olivia's Cafe

12/6:

-snack in room
-early lunch at Cooke's of Dublin
-dinner at Raglan Road

12/7

-character breakfast at Garden Grill
-lunch at Teppan Edo
-dinner at Artist Point

12/8:

-breakfast in room with items purchased w/ snack credits from Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie the day before
-lunch at T-Rex
-play dinner by ear depending on hunger level after T-Rex and during MVMCP

12/9:

-late Character breakfast at 'Ohana (have had dinner here, but this will be our first breakfast experience there)
-late lunch/early dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe

12/10:

-character breakfast at Tusker House
-lunch at Harambe Market & Flame Tree w/ a stop in at Y&Y to grab a Pink Himalayan
-dinner at Sanaa

12/11:

-breakfast at Trail's End
-lunch at Via Napoli
-dinner at Jiko

12/12:

-character breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
-lunch TBD


**anything in italics denotes that this will be our first visit to this eating establishment.

I am really excited for all the new restaurants that we will be trying this trip.

Let me know your thoughts and thanks for following along!!!!

Dining Review Table of Contents:

12/5

Beaches & Cream lunch
Trader Sam's drinks & Olivia's Cafe dinner

12/6

Artist's Palette breakfast
Cooke's of Dublin & Fantasy Fare food truck lunch
Raglan Road dinner

12/7

Garden Grill breakfast
Teppan Edo lunch
Artist Point dinner

12/8

Les Halles Boulangerie pastries for breakfast
T-Rex lunch
Pinocchio's Village Haus dinner

12/9

Ohana breakfast
Art of Animation snack
Wolfgang Puck Express - Marketplace dinner

12/10

Tusker House breakfast
Restaurantosaurus lunch
Sanaa dinner

12/11

Trail's End breakfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe lunch
Jiko dinner

12/12

1900 Park Fare breakfast
Mara lunch​

 

[TigerKat]

We'll be there 12/4-12/13! Looks like you have a great line-up!

 

[twinkybel81]

We'll be there 12/4-12/13! Looks like you have a great line-up!

I'm so excited (as usual), trying not to count the minutes yet!

 

[twinkybel81]

I wanted to throw in a few food pics from my trip the the World last fall.

Kevin's Heavenly Ham at Raglan Road, so so delicious!!! I rarely order the same thing at a restaurant more than once, because there are so many good things to try, but I will ABSOLUTELY be ordering this when we dine there again this year, that's how good it is!

Ricotta doughnuts (can't remember their proper name) at Via Napoli. Hoping to incorporate these somewhere in our festivities next year, love them!

My dessert from Yachtsman Steakhouse. Don't remember now what all was on the plate, but I know I really enjoyed the fresh figs.

 

[TigerKat]

Not sure if it's just me, but your pics aren't showing!

 

[twinkybel81]

Not sure if it's just me, but your pics aren't showing!

Weird! Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to wait for someone else to comment on whether they can see them or not. I even logged out of my Dis account and went to look, but they were still showing for me. Curious.

 

[Gilrond]

I can see the pix

 

[twinkybel81]

I can see the pix

Thanks, Gilrond!

 

[TigerKat]

So it must be my work computer....

 

[twinkybel81]

We currently have 3 different reservation numbers for our trip, which would mean we had the option to do different dining plan levels for each reservation number. If we don't end up doing the DDXP for the full stay, the other option we are looking at will be DDXP for the first reservation (3 nights), DDP for the second reservation (3 nights), and DDXP for the last night. Here is what our dining plans will be if we go this route (only somewhat different than the all DDXP schedule):

12/5:

-lunch at Cooke's of Dublin/Fantasy Fare food truck OOP
-drinks at Trader Sam's
-dinner at Olivia's Cafe

12/6:

-Character breakfast at 'Ohana
-lunch at Boardwalk Pizza Window OOP or use snack credits at Boardwalk Bakery
-dinner at Raglan Road

12/7:

-character breakfast at The Garden Grill
-lunch at Teppan Edo
-dinner at Artist Point

12/8:

-breakfast in room with items picked up from Les Halles with snack credits
-lunch at T-Rex
-snack credit or QS dinner somewhere in MK during MVMCP

12/9:

-breakfast in our room
-lunch TBD
-dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe

12/10:

-character breakfast at Tusker House
-lunch at Harambe Market (I am dying to try the sausage/curry corn dog!) & Flame Tree (stop in at Yak & Yeti to try a Pink Himalayan!)
-dinner at Sanaa

12/11:

-breakfast at Trail's End or in our room (will do TE only if we don't do it for lunch on 12/9 and skip WCC on 12/9)
-lunch at Gasparilla Island Grill or in DTD or at The Mara or snack credit lunch
-dinner at Jiko

12/12:

-character breakfast at 1900 Park Fare

Overall, I'm not as excited about this line up as the all DDXP line up, but it certainly isn't a bad one. Everything in italics are new to us restaurants.

 

[twinkybel81]

Still being new to doing a pre-trip, would anyone be interested in reading about what I'm planning on ordering at the different restaurants? I don't want to spam the boards with superfluous postings.

 

[twinkybel81]

I decided I wanted to put this out there anyhow, even if no one ends up reading or commenting (though comments are most welcome). Below you will find my likely food choices for the restaurants where we are planning on eating.

Fantasy Fare food truck:
-hand-dipped corn dog
Cooke's of Dublin:
-vintage Irish cheddar dip (to dip the corn dog in ..... I discovered this combo last year and I can't begin to tell you how decadent it is!!)

Boardwalk Pizza Window:
-slice of pepperoni pizza (I will likely just eat the toppings)

Olivia's Cafe:
App: Olivia's House Salad - Mixed Greens with Seasonal Accompaniments and a House-made Vinaigrette
Entree: Plantation Key Pork Chop - Pork Chop topped with Smoked Gouda Fondue served with Multigrain Rice and Broccolini
Dessert: Mascarpone cheesecake w/ seasonal fruit topping (asked for on the side)

The Artist's Palette:
Breakfast Flatbread - Scrambled Eggs, Sausage Gravy, Crumbled Bacon, and Cheese
or
Egg Florentine Breakfast Wrap - Scrambled Eggs, Spinach, Onions, and Cheese in a Spinach Tortilla

The Paddock Grill:
Country Breakfast Burrito - Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Potatoes, and Cheddar wrapped in a Whole Wheat Tortilla with Pico de Gallo

Raglan Road:
App: Tart Art - Asparagus & goat cheese tart with garden peas, leeks & lemon oil dressed arugula (had this 3 years ago and loved it)
Entree: Kevin's Heavenly Ham - Irish mist glazed loin of bacon with savory cabbage, colcannon potatoes, parsley cream sauce and a raisin cider jus (LOVE this!!!)
Dessert: Dunbrody Jaffa Kiss - Chef Dundon's gift to America; Chocolate, orange marmalade centre, add more chocolate , then add some more
Beverage: Teelings Whiskey Punch - Teelings small batch Irish whiskey, apple cider, ginger beer, angostura bitters, fresh lime sour with candied ginger
or
Grapefruit & T - Tanqueray 10 gin, tonic, aperol, freshly muddled grapefruit served with a grapefruit twist (I normally just have a pint of Magners because I love it so!)

Les Halles:
Quiche Florentine - Spinach, Goat Cheese Quiche

Teppan Edo:
App: Garden Salad - Mixed Greens, Tomato, and Vegetables
Entree: Swordfish (I'll also ask for no rice w/ extra veggies instead)
Dessert: Green Tea Soft Serve

Artist Point:
App: Artisanal cheese platter (my tradition at signature meals)
or
Heirloom Tomatoes - House-made Ricotta, Huile d’Olive, Minus 8 Vinegar, Sea Salt, Upland Cress
Entree: Buffalo Strip Loin - Buffalo Sausage, Macaroni & Cheese, Romanesca, crispy Shallots, Black Currant Demi
Dessert: Warm House-made Donuts- Cinnamon-Sugar, Nutella® Ganache, Marionberry Jam
or
Strawberry Chèvre Cheesecake - Wild Berries, Whipped Panna Cotta, Marcona Almonds, Blooms
or
Artisanal Cheese Plate

T-Rex:
App: Brachiosaurus Bruschetta - Grilled eggplant, bruschetta tomatoes, herbed cheese and toasted focaccia bread drizzled with a balsamic glaze
Entree: Mastodon Stuffed Chicken - Marinated chicken breast stuffed with artichoke hearts and creamy spinach, topped with sun-dried tomatoes and lemon butter. Served with red skinned mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables (I'd ask for all veggies)
Dessert: probably skip it (since we are going to MVMCP that night and there will be cookies and hot cocoa!)

Whispering Canyon Cafe (lunch):
App: Heirloom Tomato and fresh Mozzarella Salad with Balsamic, Fennel Oil, and Sweet Basil
Entree: Grilled Herb-marinated Chicken Sandwich - Avocado Spread, Tomato, Arugula, and Applewood-smoked Bacon served with Sweet Potato Fries (I'll order it sans bun)
Dessert:

Harambe Market:
Entree: Sausage Fried in Curried Corn Batter - with Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Salad
Dessert: African Milk Tart - Coconut Custard in a Chocolate Tart Shell dusted with Sugar and Five-Spice Powder then drizzled with Dark Chocolate Ganache

Sanaa:
App: Indian Bread Service
Entree: Potjie Inspired with the Paneer Tikka, Lentil Dhal, and Five-Grain Pilaf
Dessert: Stone Fruit Samosa - Cardamon-scented with Seasonal Dipping Sauce

Via Napoli (lunch):
App: Prosciutto e Melone - prosciutto di parma, cantaloupe
Entree: Carciofi Pizza - Individual - white pizza, artichoke, fontina, mozzarella, truffle oil
Dessert: Zeppole di Caterina - Ricotta cheese fritters, served with whipped cream and chocolate sauce
or
Gelati e Sorbetto - Vanilla, chocolate, pistachio, lemon sorbet

Jiko:
App: Wild Boar Tenderloin - Mealie Pap, Chakalaka, Truffle Oil, and Micro Cilantro
Entree: Nigerian Spiced Pork Shank - Braised Greens, Ancient Grain Risotto, and Apple Butter
Dessert: Pistachio and Cherry Trifle (No Sugar Added Dessert) - White Chocolate Crémeux, Pistachio Cake, and Cherry Compote.

 

[Axelrodb1]

I have yet to start a Pre- Trip Report for our food selections, but my family and I are going about a month or so apart from you. We are going in November.. wish your trip was first! Many of the things you said you will be ordering are on my list too!!!!

 

[twinkybel81]

I have yet to start a Pre- Trip Report for our food selections, but my family and I are going about a month or so apart from you. We are going in November.. wish your trip was first! Many of the things you said you will be ordering are on my list too!!!!

Can't wait to hear all about your dining plans! Not all of these restaurants may end up happening, but we'll eat well no matter what!

 

[Axelrodb1]

I was looking at all your choices- and while I don't have much to say I can tell you that the stuffed jalapeños at Trails End are FANTASTIC!!!!

I should be starting my report tomorrow- my DS9 Is getting braces so I have lots of time in the waiting area!

 

[nco91590]

LOL! My husband thinks I'm crazy for already picking out my entrees! I'm glad I'm not the only one out there. Although my trip isn't until February!

 

[Axelrodb1]

LOL! My husband thinks I'm crazy for already picking out my entrees! I'm glad I'm not the only one out there. Although my trip isn't until February!

We have ours picked out too! And soon, we will be looking at snacks too... for us it helps us decide about a Dinning plan, but secretly its also really fun!

 

[twinkybel81]

LOL! My husband thinks I'm crazy for already picking out my entrees! I'm glad I'm not the only one out there. Although my trip isn't until February!

To be honest, that's part of why I decided to start this pre-trip report! My husband thinks I'm crazy too, and can get grumpy if I bombard him with too much information that he isn't fussed about. I'm also unemployed right now, so I have time for these things, whereas he works 60+ hours a week, so that definitely plays a role in how much mental energy he has for extra/silly things. Thanks for reading along!

 

[dmc6469]

I am making my first trip to WDW December 5-13. Growing up in Los Angeles, I have gone to DL at least 200x so am eager to compare how this trip will be. So excited to count down the days even though they cannot come fast enough, which I am sure you so understand

 

[twinkybel81]

I am making my first trip to WDW December 5-13. Growing up in Los Angeles, I have gone to DL at least 200x so am eager to compare how this trip will be. So excited to count down the days even though they cannot come fast enough, which I am sure you so understand

Born and raised Southern California girl here, Disney AP holder, and former CM at Disneyland, so I feel ya on that. It is such a completely different experience out there than at DL, not better or worse, just different. I love them both for different reasons. I"m so excited for your first trip and I hope you love it!!! I'd be happy to make recommendations or answer questions about any of the restaurants that I've eaten at or properties that I have stayed at.

As far as counting down, my husband even found me a countdown app specifically geared toward counting down to a Disney vacation, lol! <3