Ferb, I know What We're Going to Do Today! - Updated 9/30

[If U Had Wings]

A $100 taxi budget should do it.....must less then renting a car. But your gonna to need to discuss this when your friend ahead of time....I see her getting cheap on you and not wanting to take a taxi and split the fare.

I don't know. I think she might be in for it after the last trip. She might not want to be parted from me, but she's not really cheap.

There are are only a few times when it's really going to be an issue this trip anyways. I really tried to plan the trip to take advantage of the fact that we were staying at the Beach Club. I know the first day I'm probably going to want to spring for the cab. We are having dinner at the Cali Grill, and even though it's not super difficult to transfer from the monorail resorts it will make life much easier. The other time is our breakfast morning at the GF.

Most nights we are ending at Epcot or MGM. A very nice walk away from home.

 

[If U Had Wings]

After finally making it to Ohana's, it finally felt good to sit down and recoup for a bit. As much as I had been debating just skipping Ohana's after the delay, I'm glad that we didn't. I really needed a chance to sit and decompress a bit before heading into the party. I also needed one of these -

A lapu lapu! So good, and so needed. While the alcohol did it's thing, the CM did hers and true to her word she got us in to a table by 6:45.

Luckily this trip the entertainment wasn't too bad, or to be more honest I was already annoyed enough where I didn't notice it. In 2007 it was the Don Ho guy with his ukelele singing Tiny Bubbles. It was a bit cheesy, but in an entertaining kind of way. This trip we got Heidi's favorite The female entertainer at Ohana's walks around with huge wooden high heels and talks with the most simpering voice imaginable singing about the hukela. (sp?). For me it borders on being twisted entertainment, and a painful experience. I know many people love the entertainment, but for me it comes across as cloyingly phony. This trip we got the female entertainer, but I think I was so far aggitated that I barely remember her being there. It helped that this trip we didn't get put at one of the tables for 3 that line the edge of the entertainment floor. We didn't get stuck with the rear ends of the parents trying to take pictures of their kids hulaing. It was nice. If your ever eating at Ohana with a group of 3 or 2 definitely request a table away from the entertainment floor. No one needs rear ends in their faces as they try to eat.

During my last visit to Ohana in the fall of 2008 our service had been less than stellar. I had loved Ohana when I had been there in 2007, but last year the wait service was horrid and it really took away a lot from the meal. I was really unsure about even eating there again. This trip we had a wonderful server and Ohanas made it back on to the redo list. She kept our food coming at a nice pace, and we were never left looking at empty plates while waiting for more food. I was even able to eat some veggies with my meat which I love.

So on to the good stuff - the food porn.

The salad at Ohana's is one of my favorite items. The dressing is light, and tasty. I could practically eat nothing but the salad. I think we may have had some seconds on the salad.

Then they came around with the first course items. Clockwise from top:

More salad, honey chicken wings, peanut noodles, broccoli and peas, pork dumplings

Some of my favorite foods in all of Disney are on that plate, them being the veggies and the pork dumplings. I was trying to be good and let my friend have the last dumpling, but she let me have it. I used to love the green beans that they had at Ohana and was sad to see them go, but the broccoli/peas mixture was just as delicious. Seriously, while the meats are the thing at Ohana, I could be happy with just those items and the salad. The chicken wings were okay, but I'm not really a huge fan of chicken wings. I think I only ended up eating one of those. The peanut noodles were okay too. Their only problem being that they aren't nearly as good as the Maui potatos they used to have. If I'd never had the potatos, I'd probably love the noodles a lot more.

The meat course in no particular order since the port and turkey look alike and I have no clue which is which.

Mesquite turkey, bbq pork and marinated steak. All were really good, tender and juicy. I know people complain sometimes about the meats being dry at Ohana, but the only tasteless meat I've had at Ohana's was the sausages that they wisely took off the menu. I really just had a taste of each one, having filled up on the veggies and dumplings. I needed to be sure to leave room for the best part of the meal.

Ohana's bread pudding ala mode with banana and caramel sauce. In my humble opinion, the best desert on property. Seriously it incorporates everything I love most - ice cream, bananas and caramel. It just melts in your mouth. Our waitress also brought my friend a birthday cupcake. My friend shared that with me, and it was pretty good. I heart cupcakes.

With dinner done it was time to head over to the Magic Kingdom for MVMCP. The extra bonus strike for the day was about to hit.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I like the idea of a taxi budget. I have one for September and as it gets closer I might add more to it. I'm really worried about the buses at Riverside.

I'm glad Ohana was redeemed for you! I'm really nervous about what is going to happen next....

 

[skier_pete]

Wow...I have heard such mixed reviews about Ohana I have never really been interested in trying it...but your pictures make me want to give it a shot! Not next trip, but maybe in 2011. (Yup, with only 1 trip on the horizon, we can't help but think about another one....actually we have a major trip planned in 2012 that likely will eliminate the possibility of a Disney trip that year, and I can't POSSIBLY make it from 2010 all the way to 2013 without a Disney fix.)

But, here I am running on about myself...this is YOUR TR. At least it looks like on an awful no good very bad day at Disney, there are at least SOME high points!

PS...I totally agree with using a taxi on occasion. We did this in 2008 when we wanted to get from POFQ to Beach Club for Cape May Breakfast...afterwards I was a bit irked at paying $30 for a round-trip taxi to a meal I didn't like all that much, but again, it was a lot cheaper than renting a car for a week.

 

[praisehisname]

It's so torturous (sp?) to see these pics of Ohana...I want to eat there so bad!

More bad stuff coming up?

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

O'hana's should be renamed, the restaurant Tink will never get to try because people line up for those ADRs like they do for CRT. I mean, I know I'm going during FD but seriously, nary an ADR the whole week...

That food looks amazing.

Especially the Lapu Lapu.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I like the idea of a taxi budget. I have one for September and as it gets closer I might add more to it. I'm really worried about the buses at Riverside.

I'm glad Ohana was redeemed for you! I'm really nervous about what is going to happen next....

There will be a taxi budget, whether it gets used or not. I don't want to feel that helpless again. I think the biggest transportation problem is getting from resort to resort. Most of my time staying at POFQ it seems as if we barely stop at POR. I think in the morning they pretty much run exclusive to each resort. I only wish that in the evening every park was like MK where they have separate buses.

Ohana was defintely redeemed for me this trip. I was surprised at how much my dinner there calmed me down. If they would only improve the entertainment I'd be much happier.

Wow...I have heard such mixed reviews about Ohana I have never really been interested in trying it...but your pictures make me want to give it a shot! Not next trip, but maybe in 2011. (Yup, with only 1 trip on the horizon, we can't help but think about another one....actually we have a major trip planned in 2012 that likely will eliminate the possibility of a Disney trip that year, and I can't POSSIBLY make it from 2010 all the way to 2013 without a Disney fix.)

I think Ohana is worth a try. I've never had any problem with the food, only the service the last time. I'll even cut them a bit of a break on that one as it was the first day of FD, and it was crazy. If you like meat it's the place to go, but even non-meaties like me can be happy with the veggies. And the desert would make it worth it for me a bit.

At least it looks like on an awful no good very bad day at Disney, there are at least SOME high points!

There were. The bad things ended up being things that were completely out of my control. That may have been what was driving me a bit nuts. I felt helpless to do anything to fix them. It was a day that was determined to go off course though.

It's so torturous (sp?) to see these pics of Ohana...I want to eat there so bad!

More bad stuff coming up?

I know! I was typing up my entry, looking at the pictures thinking what I would do for some of those dumplings right now.

A little bit more bad stuff. No smooth sailing on this day.

 

[miprender]

I have been waiting to see about MVMCP, but now I am scared.

I am glad that you liked Ohana's. We just ate there for the first time and our meal was great. However, our server was very lacking.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Your O'Hana's dinner looks delicious -- especially the Lapu Lapu and the bread pudding! I am glad you were able to sit and enjoy a great meal since you say there is more "bad stuff" coming!

 

[skier_pete]

If you like meat it's the place to go, but even non-meaties like me can be happy with the veggies. And the desert would make it worth it for me a bit.

You've sold me! Meat and desserts, our family's two favorite things!

The bad things ended up being things that were completely out of my control. That may have been what was driving me a bit nuts. I felt helpless to do anything to fix them. It was a day that was determined to go off course though.

I totally get it...those bad bus days are the worst. When you've spent months and months planning, and to have it wrecked by bad scheduling on a Disney bus. The worst we ever had was back in 2007, we were trying to get to AK for Morning EMH from POFQ...well we got down the bus stop at like 7:20, and just missed a bus...we waited and waited. All the other busses came through at least 3 times, including DTD buses, which I had no idea why they were even running that early....by the time we got the bus, then of course it went around POR and to AK...we were like 45 minutes late for EMH. Over the years we've tried to learn to relax and accept that this'll probably happen once a trip...but it's still hard to take.

 

[TarzansKat]

Look at that carafe of caramel sauce! Lovely!

At least dinner was good.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Look at that carafe of caramel sauce! Lovely!

EVERYTHING should come with a carafe of caramel sauce.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I have been waiting to see about MVMCP, but now I am scared.

I am glad that you liked Ohana's. We just ate there for the first time and our meal was great. However, our server was very lacking.

The problem with MVMCP was another of those things that was out of my hands. I promise I'll have the last update for day 6 up soon. It was my breaking point.

My fall 2009 trip we were hit with bad service and it really put a bad taste in my mouth. We were waiting for everything that trip. They'd bring out one food item, then we'd be waiting for 10/15 minutes for them to bring something else. This trip was much better. I'm glad I gave it another shot.

Your O'Hana's dinner looks delicious -- especially the Lapu Lapu and the bread pudding! I am glad you were able to sit and enjoy a great meal since you say there is more "bad stuff" coming!

The Lapu Lapu was wonderful. I was determined to try one this trip, and they scared me at first when I didn't see it on the menu. I asked and it was no problem.

I just love the bread pudding. I never had bread pudding before my 2007 trip when I had it at Ohana. Now I just love the stuff.

You've sold me! Meat and desserts, our family's two favorite things!

Then you should be set! When I've gone with my parents they've really liked it as well.

I totally get it...those bad bus days are the worst. When you've spent months and months planning, and to have it wrecked by bad scheduling on a Disney bus. The worst we ever had was back in 2007, we were trying to get to AK for Morning EMH from POFQ...well we got down the bus stop at like 7:20, and just missed a bus...we waited and waited. All the other busses came through at least 3 times, including DTD buses, which I had no idea why they were even running that early....by the time we got the bus, then of course it went around POR and to AK...we were like 45 minutes late for EMH. Over the years we've tried to learn to relax and accept that this'll probably happen once a trip...but it's still hard to take.

I think the worst feeling is when you see multiple buses come going to other places when your waiting for yours. It drives me nuts, even if I haven't been waiting for a terribly long time.

Look at that carafe of caramel sauce! Lovely!

At least dinner was good.

Emmmmm carmel sauce!

EVERYTHING should come with a carafe of caramel sauce.

I had to laugh when I saw this Tink. I was about to type the same reply to TK's post. So true! I think a carafe of caramel sauce would help out alot of things.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh man. This is a day that you need to go back to bed and start all over again. I cannot believe you had to wait two hours. That is ridiculous!

 

[If U Had Wings]

O'hana's should be renamed, the restaurant Tink will never get to try because people line up for those ADRs like they do for CRT. I mean, I know I'm going during FD but seriously, nary an ADR the whole week...

That food looks amazing.

Especially the Lapu Lapu.

It's crazy how fast that place fills up. I like it and all, but really I'd much rather eat at the Brown Derby, Citricos or the Cali Grill. I've always managed to get in without a major problem at Ohanas luckily.

I thought of all my Dis friends as I had my Lapu Lapu!

Oh man. This is a day that you need to go back to bed and start all over again. I cannot believe you had to wait two hours. That is ridiculous!

It definitely should have been a "Groundhog Day". I kept thinking I was going to end up on Candide Camera or something.

 

[If U Had Wings]

We arrived at the Magic Kingdom somewhere around 8/8:30 or so. We'd missed an hour, which all things considering wasn't too bad I guess. Still I hated that we had missed any of the party for what we paid for the tickets. The entrance was pretty quiet except for a few stragglers leaving. I had to snap a picture of the decorations at the train station.

As we entered the park we noticed Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore were out for pictures by exposition hall with virtually no wait. We couldn't resist.

I think when I had posted this pic on my Facebook page CP said I looked so happy in it. I remember that at the time I was desparately trying to get myself into the festive feelings of the party. I definitely look happier in this pic than I actually felt. They were both great though. Since there was no line we played around with them for awhile.

After that we made our way up Main Street. I stopped off to buy a party pin and then we tried to make a plan of attack for the rest of the night. The park was looking pretty crowded as we made our way up to the hub and over to Tomorrowland. We had some time before the castle show and figured that we'd go and take a ride on Space Mountain first. Space Mountain had been down earlier in the week when we were there and we both wanted to be sure we got to ride it.

There was barely a wait posted at SM so we entered into the building excited to be riding - SM had been down when we were in the MK earlier in the week. For anyone who hasn't ridden SM since the renovation they've changed the queue a bit, and now the line takes you around the back of the far wall before you exit to the far side and onto the cars. They don't really have you queuing through a maze with the ride over you anymore. Now the queue doesn't happen on the main part of the floor until your just about to get into the cars. We made good time getting through the line, and were waiting patiently in the left hand line behind the wall chatting with the really nice family in front of us. I don't know when it started to dawn on us that the line was no longer moving. Caught behind the wall we couldn't see anything that was going on, all we knew was that our line was going nowhere fast. We were finally able to peek through the window on the wall to see that they were waiting for the engineers to come out and take a look at the tracks on our side.

There was a lot of talking going on out there. Finally they started walking everyone who was in the line that feeds into the building back out the way they came in. Those of us who had made it past that point (where you go to the right or the left) were staying put at that point. We waited some more while the engineers kept talking and then finally they decided to shut the ride down. The right side tracks were still running without a problem, so they worked through the line on the right and then started moving our line over that way so we could ride before exiting.

Total amount of time spent waiting in line on Space Mountain - a little over an hour. Ugh!!!!!! Two and a half hours into the party and we had taken one photo, bought one pin, and rode one ride. What had mentally been hanging in there for me gave up at that point. When we exited Space Mountain we literally had about 2 minutes before the fireworks were about to start. I warned my friend to stay close, we were going to get to my favorite viewing spot no matter what. (It was really the principle of the matter at this point for me. I wasn't having the fireworks ruined for me too this night). She stayed close, and we got over onto the path that runs from the edge of Main Street to the path to Tomorrowland just in time. The area was pretty crowded but we were able to find a spot to warch. I'm sure that the fireworks were great, but honestly I don't even remember much about them at this point. I was just so tired, frustrated, and worn out at that point.

After the fireworks we decided to head over to Fantasyland and check out the meet and greets that were going on. The park was packed! We felt like a couple of salmon swimming upstream. We thought that it was because the fireworks had just ended and that once we got away from Main Street we'd be okay. Things didn't get much better. Fantasyland was wall to wall people. The lines at the meet and greats were crazy long and we didn't even try to get into any of them. I think we both felt we had spent enough time in line already at this party. The lines for the rides weren't looking much better. Even Small World had a line with a 40 minute wait posted. We didn't want to miss out on the parade while stuck in line again. We turned and headed to Liberty Square. Still lines everywhere, but the Haunted Mansion didn't look to be too crazy so we hopped in line for that.

When we got off they were blocking the road off for the parade so we grabbed a spot while there were still good spots to be had after grabbing a couple of complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. The night was getting pretty cold, and hot chocolate really hit the spot. I grabbed a seat along the road, and my friend who has some back issues found a real seat. I didn't take any pictures during the parade. I just wanted to sit and enjoy it. I loved the wooden soldiers, but it wasn't nearly as good as the parade at MNSSHP. It was fun, but didn't really wow me. The one bad thing about watching the Christmas parade from here was that we didn't get to see the snow on Main Street.

After the parade the crowds finally started to thin out. The meet and greats were done, so we went and hit the Fantasyland rides and then started to wander back through Liberty Square to Adventureland. (After picking up some cookies for our CM pal Pete back in the concierge lounge). The party was shutting down, but we managed to get on the last boat out on Pirates. It's become our usual end of the night ritual to ride the last ride on Pirates. On our way out they still had it snowing on Main Street which was pretty cool, especially as it felt cold enough to actually be snowing out.

I don't know if I went back during the holiday season again if I would go to the Christmas party again. I know that my feelings about the party were definitely affected by the transportation and ride issues, but I talked about it with my friend and she felt the same way. The parade was okay, but other than the wooden soldiers it didn't wow us like the halloween party had. Same with the fireworks - they were really good, but ... The park felt really crowded too. With a smaller gate the parties shouldn't feel more crowded as they were that night. I don't know if the party had sold out that night or not. We had noticed that several other nights during our vacation had though. MNSSHP had such an interactive feeling to it when we went back in 2007, this really didn't have that feeling. It wasn't nearly as much fun.

For me it was a relief to get back to the room and finally crash. It had been a long, tiring day that had been feeling pretty devoid of magic for me. We had one more day to go, but in all honesty all I was thinking of was going home. Usually on my Disney trips I don't want to go home, but at this point all I wanted was to hop on a plane and get some peace and quiet.

 

[All7OfUs]

EVERYTHING should come with a carafe of caramel sauce.

I cannot even begin to agree with that more!!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

EVERYTHING should come with a carafe of caramel sauce.

I can really, really sense your frustration and disappointment, Crissy! I"m so, so sad for you. I"m a serious tightwad, and had missed 2 and a half hours of party time due to ride/bus issues, I think I might have gone to guest relations to try to get some money back. That's HALF the party!!!

But 'Ohana!! Mmmmm..... Now I'm actually afraid, I'll not even get to try everything. I'm a VERY light eater, and by the time the dessert comes around, I'm so afraid I'll be stuffed from all the other good things.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Poor Crissy!!! I am so sorry that party was pretty much a bust for you between the crowds of people, long lines, and a Space Mountain that took up too much time! I do still think that is a precious picture of you with Pooh and Eeyore.

Were the cookies and hot chocolate good at least?

 

[miprender]

That's too bad about the party. I have read on the DIS that MMVCP is not as good as the Halloween party, but since I have never been to both I will not have anything to compare it too. But for the price of those tickets, they better make you feel magical.

Your day very much lacked any pixie dust. I hate those days were nothing goes right.