16 Day Spring Break! I'm An Adult, I Do What I Want ;) *Update 8/17 Complete!

[Disney_Mama]

Great reviews and pictures. Love your fingers and toes
That Easter egg hunt thing really looks like fun.

 

[ariane37]

I'm glad you enjoy MM. We haven't eaten there in years but plan to have lunch there in Nov. I'm really looking forward to it; we enjoyed it back then
Also the Easter Egg Hunt is adorable! We've never been around Easter but this just makes me REALLY want to go during that time now lol.

I got one of my new favorite Epcot snacks, Schoolbread!

School Bread is my absolute favorite WDW snack

Traditional Kjottkake which is Norwegian meatballs with gravy, lingonberry sace and mashed potatoes.

DH and I had these at Akershus both times we went, when our boys were younger. So great to hear we can now get them without having to do a Princess meal!

 

[dnllmz]

Great reviews! I read through a bunch of your old DR. Loved them.

 

[SunnieRN]

I'm having such a good time reading your dining reviews!!! You too are just so stinking cute!!!!

We are going in December and are planning on eating at Captains Grill. It will be new for us so we're excited for that!

Also on our list is Coral Reef, Kona breakfast, Narcoossees or California Grill, TH, and we want to do a Fantasmic dinner. We were thinking of Hollywood and Vine, as it's Christmas, but now you have me leaning toward Mama Melrose!!!

Looking forward to more! Your Easter egg hunt looked fun!

 

[momof3princes]

Caught up now! You have made some great choices so far! The calamari at MM reminds me of how they serve it in Rhode Island and I love that. The meatballs look great...I love the sweet/savory combo too

 

[rachel09985]

I agree about those swedish meatballs! I have gotten them the last couple of trips.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

I'm not going to lie... I've been somewhat stalking the reviews looking for an update from your trip. What a great surprise to find this mega update!!!!

Congrats on pursuing your associate's degree. That's fantastic! And no easy feat while working full time!! Good for you!!!!! I'm assuming the graduation celebration will be in WDW?

I've had good luck with breakfast at Captain's Grille but haven't tried dinner. I'm going to have to put that on my list!

I've also never tried Mama Melrose. Have they announced if that is remaining in DHS with all the new stuff coming?

Your afternoon at F&G looked so fun!!!! I agree, some of those eggs were difficult to find!!!!! Wish Rob had taken a pic of your outfit!!!

I'm sure there was more I wanted to say but it's early & the coffee hasn't kicked in. Will look forward to more next time you have a chance. Good luck with school!!!

Another mega update coming right up! I've been pretty all or nothing with my posts this DR.

Thank you! The graduation celebration will absolutely be in WDW! We are thinking about going back for a week in October. Still in the early stages, but I think it will happen, which is exciting.

We just did Captain's Grille breakfast this trip for the first time and loved it. I definitely recommend their dinner as well. You should definitely check out MM too! I haven't heard that they are doing away with it at this point, but I would bet that it's coming. It seems like they are taking that whole area out, which is sad.

Love this!

Thank you!

Great update! I agree the Captains Grille is a hidden gem and that pasta dish with braised ribs looks amazing!! I love how you can always get into that place without any advance planning. I still need to get over to MM, we went back to Tutto a few weeks ago and wished we had tried that place instead as I know you guys are huge fans. Love all the flower and garden treats you guys tried, it really has become a little food and wine festival for sure. I love the Donald print, we were fortunate to get all 3 prints and I am going to frame them and put them in our new house we are building. Also congrats on going to get your degree, I know you have to super busy right now

We love Captain's Grille and now I know why Rob only gets the pasta. It was phenomenal. We barely make ADRs anymore. We always change them anyway. We have never done Tutto cause the menu just does not thrill me. I do still want to try it one day. The F&G booths are so much fun! Not as good as F&W, but definitely a nice alternative and it seems to get bigger and better each year. I'm so jealous that you got all the prints! They are really nice. I want to frame mine as well. I am spending every waking second working on school. It is at your own pace, so I am crushing it right now and I am on pace to have my associates degree in three months! Then I can focus on this DR for a bit before starting for my BA.

Amazing updates & totally worth the wait! Can't wait to try the Swedish meatballs in Norway!

Thank you! The meatballs are awesome! I can't wait to have them again.

All the food looks so good, especially the apps and Captain's Grille, your pasta at HS, and the scone! Why didn't we try that scone?! Well maybe next year...

I love Indiana, and from the looks of it would love that Hangar Bar. It's too bad most people didn't seem to get the theming.

There's always one thing that you miss at the booths. I almost didn't try the scone since I don't care for lemon, but I am so glad that I did. The Hangar Bar was a lot of fun. I am glad it's not crowded, but I also don't want them to change it if it is a bust. Maybe a few more direct Indiana Jones references and people will get it. Or a new name perhaps...

I love reading your posts! I usually don't like reading too many reviews/reports, but you have just the right amount of writing to go along with your pictures

Seems like a fun trip, lots of movies, drinking and food, right up my alley.

Thank you so much! We are more about the side things in WDW than the rides. Keeps it interesting year after year!

Your captains grill dinner looks absolutely amazing. I'm a sucker for all things bolognese and with short ribs sounds delicious. I've heard they have really good breakfast, but dinner wasn't really on my radar. Gonna have to check it out soon.

Love your easter egg/outdoor kitchen hunt. What a fun twist on the typical eat and drink around the world. And totally on fleek

I highly recommend you try breakfast and dinner. We did breakfast for the first time this trip and I am hooked!

Our evening around WS was a lot of fun, but I haven't been that tired in ages. That Easter egg hunt took it out of me! I'm getting old!

And thank you. I was TOTALLY on fleek.

Awesome update!! Thanks to your past reviews I have now had school bread and frushi, loved them both. I had the traditional meatballs at Akerhaus and really liked them, so glad they have them at the bakery now. We are staying at the BWV in October and we have a ADR for Captain's Grille, the pasta looks really good. I thinkI will try it. We ate at MM for the first time this April and we also loved the calamari so good! I eat with my 16y.o DD so we shared the chicken parm. and it was good. Simple tastes for her LOL.

Awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed school bread and frushi. A trip to BWV in October sounds awesome! I definitely recommend the pasta when you go to Captain's Grille. The chicken parm at MM looks good too. I came very close to getting that this time. You can't beat a good chicken parm!

Fabulous updates! I am in awe of how many goodies you managed to sample! The Easter egg hunt looks like a lot of fun and a great way to go through World Showcase. Thanks for sharing and congrats on going back to school!

Thank you! There's just never enough time for all the food you want to eat there. Often we are eating just to eat which is sad. The Easter egg hunt was a blast! I hope we are there for it next year too. And thanks so much for the well wishes!

Definitely for the better. Going to try Paradiso 37 tomorrow night. Raglan Roado in September. Just arrived at SSR this morning.

I may ask them to do the scallop appetizer as a meal when we are at Captains Grille on Tuesday.

Fabulous! So how was your trip? Hope you had a great time at SSR!

Totally enjoying your dining report! Wishing my DH and I drank and ate our way around the world a few years before the kids came! Congrats on working towards your degree!

Thank you! Yeah, it's definitely not easy to eat and drink around WS for an extended period of time with kids in tow I would imagine. We live it up down there that's for sure. Thank you for the well wishes!

Still loving your reviews. We are doing Mama Melrose for the first time this trip as our family dinner (meeting our girls there to eat) and we planned a "Date Night" starting with dinner at the Captain's Grille (my youngest and I did lunch there for the 1st time last Sept and were pleasantly surprised by how good it was and it was so nice, quiet and relaxed that I thought right then and there...I'm bringing my hubby here the next time we come! LOL) So glad you had great reviews of both!! Can't wait to hear and see more!

Thank you! Sounds like two great meals you have planned. More reviews coming right up!

This looks amazing. I seriously looooove rock shrimp so I am always on the hunt for that type of app! Captains Grille has been on my list to try for breakfast and dinner.

Your drinks @ Jock Lindsey's look delicious.. YUM! I haven't seen it very busy in there (Though we've only walked by twice). I love fun drinks like that and although it's a little steep, totally worth it when you're drinking them in WDW and you can drink out of the glass any day you want at home.

OK we must totally have the same taste, because I <3 seafood and I would've chosen the exact same app/entree, ha! I have been really wanting to try Mama Melrose. The calamari looks fantastic.

I'm a sucker for any kind of shrimp pasta, especially with a delicious cheesy sauce. Drooling!

I really wanted to try this! Glad you liked it.

Also really wanted to try these, haha! We didn't have much F&G time.

LOL! The apple crumble ice cream seriously looks delicious. I had the salted caramel last year and OMG it was disgusting.. they must have some real authenticity that we don't realize until we order!! I'll keep the apple crumble in mind but make note that the mint chocolate chip tastes like a mint leaf

The rock shrimp at CG are delicious! I definitely recommend dinner and breakfast there. Both are amazing. The prices are high with the souvenir glass, but like you said, totally worth it to take some of the magic home with you. The calamari at MM is soooooo good. The dipping sauces make it extra special. Same for me with shrimp pasta. I love it and make it at home often. Good to know about the salted caramel ice cream. I think I am going to stick exclusively to the apple crumble.

OMG Where do you put all this food! I wanna do it!! Captains Grill looks sooooo good!

I don't know! We really eat just to eat down there sometimes. Captain's Grille is amazing! I highly recommend!

Ok, so we leave a week from tomorrow and you made me make yet another change! I had to add Captains Grille! I know DS will love that pasta! I really had wanted to try for breakfast but I am not going to push my luck in getting either of us up early (we are sooooo not morning people!). So dinner it is! Thinking we will do a progressive type dinner ... maybe start with some sushi at Kimonos, then entrees at Captains Grille then walk off the meal before getting some ice cream at the new Ample Hills!

Love the Egg Hunt picks. DS and I were able to do it a few years back and ended up having the best time! It took us forever to find the darn egg in Japan! Thanks for reminding me of a great memory of a really fun day!

Yes! I can't wait to hear about your trip! Captain's Grille followed by Ample Hills sounds like a winning evening. Hope you are having a great trip!

Great reviews! The Easter Egg hunt looks like so much fun. Wish we could've seen your awesome Star Wars outfit! If I said "on fleek" at my house, I'd get major eye roll from the 17 and 20 year olds--you're definitely not too old to say that--and your story is hilarious!

I always tell my husband that I am trying to keep us young and hip. He really fights me on it though.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Great reviews and pictures. Love your fingers and toes
That Easter egg hunt thing really looks like fun.

Thanks so much! I loved my mani/pedi. I think I am going to go with the Minnie Mouse ones next time.

The Easter egg hunt was a blast! I nice touch by Disney.

I'm glad you enjoy MM. We haven't eaten there in years but plan to have lunch there in Nov. I'm really looking forward to it; we enjoyed it back then
Also the Easter Egg Hunt is adorable! We've never been around Easter but this just makes me REALLY want to go during that time now lol.

School Bread is my absolute favorite WDW snack

DH and I had these at Akershus both times we went, when our boys were younger. So great to hear we can now get them without having to do a Princess meal!

MM is surprisingly great. It has become a favorite. I hope you still enjoy it in November. This was our first time here for Easter and it was fun. I wish we stuck around for Easter Sunday to see the Easter parade. It looked so cute.

It took me way too long to try school bread, but I agree. It is definitely a favorite. And now you can get the meatballs while you're there!

Great reviews! I read through a bunch of your old DR. Loved them.

Thanks so much!!!

I'm having such a good time reading your dining reviews!!! You too are just so stinking cute!!!!

We are going in December and are planning on eating at Captains Grill. It will be new for us so we're excited for that!

Also on our list is Coral Reef, Kona breakfast, Narcoossees or California Grill, TH, and we want to do a Fantasmic dinner. We were thinking of Hollywood and Vine, as it's Christmas, but now you have me leaning toward Mama Melrose!!!

Looking forward to more! Your Easter egg hunt looked fun!

Thank you so much! I hope you love Captain's Grille when you go in December. Such a fun time of year to go too! Sounds like a winning lineup you have there. I haven't done H&V in about 12 years, so sadly I can't compare that to MM, but if the character are dressed up for Christmas time at H&V that might be tough to resist.

Caught up now! You have made some great choices so far! The calamari at MM reminds me of how they serve it in Rhode Island and I love that. The meatballs look great...I love the sweet/savory combo too

I think I may need to go to Rhode Island! I need some great seafood in my life right now.

I agree about those swedish meatballs! I have gotten them the last couple of trips.

They are so good! That bakery is so on my radar now. I need to try more there!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Thank you all for being patient in between posts. Big update coming up!

So after our egg hunt evening at Epcot we caught a bus back to POR and Rob wanted to stop at the food court for something to eat. I had a lot more food than him at Epcot, so he decided on a chicken sandwich and fries, which I cannot find my picture of! If I find it I will add it back in, but he enjoyed it and gave me his fries.

I also had an awesome CM experience at the food court. I was hanging around while Rob was in line for his sandwich and I was so thirsty and really wanted a fountain soda. I decided against mugs this trip, so I asked a CM working at one of the registers if I could buy a cup to get a fountain soda. We struck up a nice conversation and when I took out my wallet to pay, he said it was on him. So sweet! I must have thanked him about 15 times. He was so friendly and sweet. Made my night.

We fell asleep pretty quickly this night because we walked 23,508 steps. Wow! This was the most we had this trip. For our savings for today we got our first of many $10 Stubs cards savings and we saved $14.80 with TiW at Mama Melrose.

 

[hill6]

Fabulous! So how was your trip? Hope you had a great time at SSR!

The trip was awesome other than the massive rain storms (no 20 minute storms). We have 3 plus hour storms and massive thunder/lightning.

Loved Paradisio. It is definitely on the repeat list.

We love Saratoga. Second time there. Never any bus issues except if we try to leave from the Springs. We have been Grandstand both times.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

The next morning we were up a little later than I wanted to be and I drove us to AK. I canceled our reservation at Tusker House for breakfast the day before. No Tusker House or Boma this trip. Crazy.

But here we are at The Tree of Life to start our day.



We got back to the safari right before our FPs were done at 10am and thank goodness we made it because the stand by line was 85 minutes. They took us out of line at one point and took us over to the area that loads for the handicap accessible truck. We got a two person seat right in the front with no one next to us or behind us. It was awesome! It was a great temperature and we saw lots of animals.

After the safari we explored the new area in Harambe which looks great and makes it great coming off the safari to not have to squeeze through the one area anymore. Now there are two crowded areas to squeeze through.

So this is what the new area looks like with different quick service options that all sound terrific.













Why thank you! I most certainly will!

Next we went over to Everest to use our FP and the line was stretching all the way outside and around and around, but it moved very quickly, which was good.

Once we were off the ride we made our way over to Yak and Yeti to see if they could take us without a reservation. They had just opened and were able to take a walk up. Score!

Now, we ate here right after they opened about 9 or 10 years ago on a trip with my sister-in laws and we all thought it was good but not memorable. Rob has had it in his head that he didn't like it and has not wanted me to make a reservation here in all of our trips since, but somehow I talked him into it before we left for this trip. I was really excited to give this place another try and I ordered $100 in Landry's gift cards with my Cashback Bonus from my Discover card before we came on this trip. I could use them at Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex and Yak and Yeti, so I knew I would use them somehow on this trip.

They seated us on the second floor and a two top table along the railing.



I started with a Yak Attack which was Mango Daiquiri, Don Q Cristal Rum and Wildberry Flavors.



This was really tasty and very fruity and refreshing.

Rob and I wanted to try so many of the appetizers, but in the end we went with the Firecracker Shrimp, crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce and Asian slaw, and the special for the day of fish tacos.





Oh. My. Gosh. They were both amazing! We loved the shrimp, but we both loved the fish tacos even more. The fried cod was fantastic and not heavy or greasy and they had amazing flavor. I could have made a meal out of just these two appetizers.

For our entrees I went with the Tempura Shrimp with chili plum sauce, coconut-ginger rice, stir fried vegetables.



Another winner! I loved everything about it. The shrimp were delicious and I loved the sauce. The rice was tasty and I loved the choice of veggies which were nicely cooked.

Rob had the Korean Beef. Wok-fried beef, peppers, onions, pineapple, Korean BBQ sauce.



He really enjoyed his meals as well and thought the flavors were great.

Somehow we still managed to fit dessert in as well.

Rob had the New York cheesecake with mango and strawberry coulis, and fresh whipped cream.



The man loves cheesecake and this thick and creamy cheesecake was up his alley.

I got the dessert everyone raves about. The Fried wantons. Skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream, honey vanilla drizzle.



These are well loved for a reason. They were amazing!

And of course the meal wouldn't be complete without fortune cookies.



Wow! Yak & Yeti was amazing! This is now one of our must-dos. I am so mad that we waited this long to come back here. Such a great experience and our server was fantastic. No TiW discount, but there was a small AP discount and we had our gift cards. Two appetizers, two entrees, two dessert and an alcoholic drink all for less than $100. We actually still had money left on our gift cards. You can't beat that.

After lunch we burned off some calories by walking back to the Dino area where Rob of course won a stuffed animals.



Then we used our final FP of the day to ride Dinosaur and when we walked by ITTBAB there was a 10 minute wait and we got right in as they closed the doors to the theater. Score!

It was too crowded to do the walking trails or Rafiki's Planet Watch, but we did all the rides we wanted to do, won another stuffed animal to add to the collection and had a fabulous lunch. I would call that a successful AK day!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

We left AK and went back to the resort for some much needed pool time. I wasn't super hot, but I had been looking forward to the pool and it was right outside of our room, so we had to do it.



After some time in the pool we got ready and walked over to POFQ, so I could get a treat I had been craving. It is a very short walk over to that resort from where we were at POR.

I love, love, love this resort. It is so beautiful.



We made our way to the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory.



I had to have beignets before we left Port Orleans! And now they also have dipping sauces for the beignets, so you know I had to taste test one for you guys.





They were so delicious! But I couldn't even begin to eat all three, and Rob didn't want any, so some of this got tossed. Sad, I know. But I really enjoyed the caramel sauce with them. Such a treat!

We had an ADR for Jiko tonight, but we were not really feeling it. We just wanted to hang out at The Springs to be honest. I tried to move the ADR on the MDE app on my phone, which I had done successfully a few times this trip, but sadly I couldn't do it with this one, but it's okay, it's not like having dinner at Jiko is a bad thing!

We caught a bus from POFQ to to The Springs and then another bus from there to AKL. All of which was perfectly timed and there were buses waiting for us each time. Like I said, we had some bus luck for a change this trip.

We arrived at AKL a bit before our reservation, but this is such a great resort to explore so we walked around the gift shop and the lobby and looked at the animals outside.



Finally we went back inside and went down to the lower level for dinner.



We were seated right away at a nice table (that was not a two top for a change!) near the cooking place.







They started us out with an amuse bouche which was delightful.



Rob started out with an African Rum Runner, which I sadly do not have a photo of, but he really loved that drink.

Then the bread service, which is new and a big change from the bread service they have had for many years. This was a little boring if I am being honest, but it was tasty. Just a big change from what they had before.



I wanted the Peri Peri Chicken flatbread as my appetizer, but our serbver said they just recently removed it from the menu. BUMMER! I really wanted that too and it still showed it in the menus online.
So, Rob and I skipped appetizers and went right for the entrees. I was torn between the lamb and the short ribs. Rob ended up getting the lamb. West African Spice Lamb Shank with goat cheese mashed potatoes, roasted baby vegetables and apple cider glace.



This picture does it no justice. It was a massive piece of lamb and it fell right off the bone. Rob gave me some and I was very sad that I made the wrong choice by not getting this. It was unbelievable.

I got the Botswana-Style Seswaa Beef Short Ribs with Cassava-potato puree, sambal, and mushrooms.



This picture is so dark, but it was a big portion of the short ribs, which are always tender and fabulous here, but I did not care for the puree at all. It was plain and had an odd after taste.

We looked at the dessert menu and nothing was jumping out at us based on the descriptions and the dessert were too pricey to take a risk, so we passed. We had a nice conversation with our server about how many times we had eaten here on our honeymoon since we stayed at AKL for the last 5 days of our Disneymoon and how being here at Jiko always reminds us of that great time. He was so sweet and brought out a dessert for us, free of charge, to celebrate love and great memories. I could cry!



He gave us the Ghanaian Chocolate and Kenyan Coffee Pot de Creme. Almond creme with almond crunch and raspberries. Rob and I split it and it was very good.

We had great service at this meal and the food was very good, I just think after getting all that food for less than $100 at Yak & Yeti earlier in the day to paying much more for less food here put a certain perspective on it. Our server made the meal great and if I had had the lamb too I would probably be singing a different tune. Jiko will still be one of the only signatures we really do moving forward, but we are really kind of over signature restaurants here at WDW. Give me WPE pizza over this any time. We are just simple folks I guess. I love Jiko, but there was just something about this time for both of us that is making us really take a look at how much we do signatures moving forward.

After our meal we took the bus back to The Springs and went over to catch Deadpool for the second time. We had already seen it at home the weekend it came out.

We were already running kind of late and AMC's whole credit card system went down, so the line was moving very slowly while some people literally dug change out of their bags to pay for their movies. We are all so reliant on credit cards now, it's crazy. Fortunately I had cash on me AND as a Stubs member we got cheap movie tickets since it was their discount Tuesday special, so it was $11 for our tickets. Score!

We got stuck all the way down front because it was so packed, but no big deal. We still had fun. After the movie we caught a bus back to POR and pretty much passed out. It was another long and fun-filled day at WDW.

We walked 7.12 miles today and saved $4.40 at Yak & Yeti with our AP and we saved $23.35 at Jiko with TiW.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

The trip was awesome other than the massive rain storms (no 20 minute storms). We have 3 plus hour storms and massive thunder/lightning.

Loved Paradisio. It is definitely on the repeat list.

We love Saratoga. Second time there. Never any bus issues except if we try to leave from the Springs. We have been Grandstand both times.

Too bad about the rain, but I'm glad you had a great time! I'm also glad you enjoyed Paradiso. SSR is great. We are thinking of staying there for our October trip.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Our last morning at POR before moving to SSR. I was so sad to leave this resort! I really love it here. Were up early and packed up our stuff and said goodbye to POR for now and then made our way to Fort Wilderness for breakfast. Trail's End, here we come!

We parked in the main lot at FW and took a bus back to the Settlement Depot for breakfast at one of our favorite spots.





We were seated right away and had the same server we had twice last trip, which was funny. We are becoming regulars. I love it!

I feel weird about taking pics up at the buffet, but here is an idea of what the buffet area looks like at Trail's End.



It's bigger than just that area, but you get the idea.

For Rob's first plate he got both the pulled pork on a biscuit and the normal canadian bacon on an English muffin types of eggs benedict along with shredded potatoes, french toast bread pudding, sausage and bacon.



For my first plate I had a Mickey waffle, their amazing breakfast potatoes full of meat, a cheese danish, breakfast pizza, pulled pork eggs benedict, biscuit with sausage gravy, and french toast bread pudding. Yummmmmm!!!!!!!



And of course I had to have a little 'Moonshine' to start my morning, which is their specialty juice and some water. Gotta stay hydrated at WDW.



Round two for me was another Mickey waffle, breakfast pizza, pulled pork benedict, and more of those awesome potatoes.



Let's get a closer view of that Mickey waffle, shall we.



The eggs on the eggs benedict were great today too and just the right amount of runny. They can definitely over do them here sometimes, but today they were perfect. Everything was delicious as always, and the price is right here. Our server was on top of our drinks the whole time too which was great. Another successful breakfast at Trail's End. If you have not been here for breakfast, you are missing out! It is worth the trip over to FW.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

After breakfast I drove us over to The Springs so we could hang out and see a movie while we waited for our room to be ready at SSR. I did online check-in and requested a room close to the path to The Springs.

It was actually very easy to drive into the Orange Garage right by the AMC theater. I hate driving in parking garages, but this one isn't too bad. We killed a few minutes in Something Silver since there was n one in there for a change and I bought some bracelets and Robby bought me a floral watch to wear for F&G. Such a sweetie! And we got an AP discount there.

Then we went to the movie theater. Of course.



I am dying to see Zootopia at this point, but there was only one showtime in the morning for Spotlight, which they rereleased after it's win for Best Picture, so we decided on that one this morning. And we got the early cheap price for under $12 so that was a win! While we were in the movie I got a text that our room was ready, which was perfect timing.

We left the theater and drove over to SSR and got to go right back to where our room was located. It was great to skip the hubbub at check-in, but I kind of missed it at the same time. Fickle.

We were in the Congress Park section of the resort, which is exactly what I wanted.



I really wanted to be able to quickly walk to The Springs. I was hoping, hoping, hoping that we had an awesome view of it, but was trying not to get my hopes up. As we found our room I had a good idea of where we were in relation to the view of that whole area and as I made my way over to the window I became overjoyed at the view we had.



It was exactly what I wanted! We got all of our stuff up in the room and then I sat out on our balcony to enjoy this spectacular view. Life is good.

We left our room to head over to The Springs. It was a 5 minute walk from our door to WPE. Amazing! We stopped off for drinks at Dockside Margaritas. This place looks great since they refurbished it a bit. We love stopping here for drinks and the menu looked awesome.



I got the Florida Citrus Freeze. Florida cane 'Orlando Orange' vodka and peach schnapps blended with orange puree.



I loved my drink! It is so refreshing. I highly recommend stopping for one of these on a hot Florida day.

Rob got an Orange Grove Rum Runner. Siesta Key spiced rum, blackberry brandy, creme de banana, and Florida citrus juices with a float of Gosling's 151 rum. And boy of boy was there a float of 151 on this thing. Wow.

Cheers!



Then we went back to AMC to see Zootopia! Do I have a good hubby or what? And of course, while we were there I needed pictures with the Zootopia photo ops in the theater.



Clawhauser selfie!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

After the movie we had reservations for Morimoto Asia. Our experience in the bar area a few days before was slightly underwhelming, so I was hoping our dinner reservations would give this place some redemption. I must say, the restaurant is absolutely stunning.



We were taken over to a two top table (Ughhhhhhhhhh) by the kitchen. We were right on top of the tables around us. It was annoying. And this was my view through the whole meal.



Not that I mind looking at this handsome devil, but I couldn't see the rest of the restaurant at all. Not the best seats in the house by a long shot. I really wanted to be able to see the beautiful restaurant. So far, not so good with the seating. Our server was good and efficient which is always nice, but the service was nothing special.

Now the food. I got the Crab Rangoon again because I enjoyed it so much the first time and wanted it all to myself.



It was excellent once again.

Rob went with the Grilled Chicken Bao. Steamed buns, grilled teriyaki chicken, lettuce, spicy mayo.



He was glad it wasn't fatty like the pork ones, but he said the flavor wasn't as good with these. He said they were just okay.

For our entrees Rob got the Chashu Pork Ramen. Soy flavored broth, egg noodles, roasted pork and scallions, choice of spicy or not spicy, which Rob got spicy.



He really enjoyed it.

I went with the Duck Ramen. Egg noodle, duck meat, scallion, boiled egg.



Mine was also very good and was a ton of food. I liked the flavor of the duck. I really wanted the Peking duck, but since Rob didn't want to split it with me I went for something else with duck.

For dessert we split the Churro Fondue for two. Housemade churros, Nutella, vanilla cream.



These were delicious. $13 is a little pricey for a few churros, but they were very good and I loved the presentation of the Nutella in the little tube.

The verdict? Still undecided. Not the two greatest overall experiences, but the food is good. I will say something if they try and seat us my the kitchen again. I will give it yet another try next year. I think there is a good restaurant in there somewhere, but I am definitely not wowed by it yet.

After that we went back to the room to watch Survivor and hung out for a bit. Later in the night we made the walk back over to The Springs to hit up WPE. We got the proscuitto pizza again to split.



We ate our pizza while watching a Big Bang Theory marathon. It's what we do.



No parks today, but that's okay! It was an awesome day. Without a park in there we definitely had fewer steps. We walked 9,258 steps today. We saved $1.75 at WPE with our AP and $3.23 at Something Silver. With our TiW we saved $7.20 at Trail's End and $15.40 at Morimoto.

 

[Denamac]

My DH doesn't ask for much but he does request one sit down breakfast each trip. I think you've convinced me to choose Trail's End. My daughters and I aren't huge breakfast fans. Does Trails End have bagels and cream cheese? We will eat other stuff but it would be great if they have it. Thanks!

 

[suzimar57]

Just read all 8 pages - as always Jeri great review, excellent photos! You & Rob are my favorite Disney foodies, you always provide the best food reviews!

 

[Belle's Castle]

Love the reviews! We just booked Trails End for breakfast in July!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Just caught up on your latest reviews. We have booked Trails End dinner for the first time this trip but thinking maybe we should try for a breakfast too. Is the Moonshine juice similar to the juice at Boma and Ohanas?