2 WI Adults Spring Break @ Disney A Mar '12 PTR *Update 3/12 We're Back!!*

[DMGeurts]

March 10th is our last full park day. We are headed back to Epcot. Can you believe that I didn't know it was the start of the Flower and Garden Festival? Now, I know nothing about flowers or plants. In fact I did manage to kill a cactus once. But they are very nice to look at.

We are going to have breakfast at Kouzzina. This was one of my favorite breakfasts from last trip, so I can't wait to check it out again. Then we will take the boat over to Epcot, Hit Soarin and Test Track. Then we will meander over the World Showcase and check out the pretty flowers. More snacking, more shopping.

We have a 1:00 PM reservation at Chefs de France. This was also a highlight from our last trip and I can't wait to get my hands on another one of those apple crepes.

Because I firmly believe that it is not possible to have too much food, I am considering having tea at Grand Floridian cafe. Wasn't something I was necessarily considering at first, but it looks like it is a lot of fun, and will be a nice way to relax on our last afternoon in the parks.

After tea, if we decide to do it, it will be back to Epcot, where we have a dinner at Coral Reef planned. I am a little nervous about this one because it always gets mixed reviews, but I am willing to give anything a try once. Then its time for our last Illuminations of our trip.

Your last day plans sound wonderful.

Just curious - do you have an outline somewhere in your PTR, of which parks on which days? I just wanted to see if we'll cross paths in any of the parks.

I was actually considering taking High Tea at the GF myself ... but I can't figure out when I'd do it. It looks like a lot of fun, and I thought I'd bring DD. It would be some nice, fun mommy-daughter time. Especially if we dressed up real nice.

Your plans look good! I'm excited for F&G! I think it was our May trip ... we arrived the day after it ended. I was bummed. (But we couldn't change dates due to a wedding.) So I'm excited to see F&G this year!

I think that High Tea would be fun... I've heard good things about it - but I'll admit that I haven't even thought of it for this trip - so the things I remember are probably out of date.

D~

 

[JessicaKnits]

I was actually considering taking High Tea at the GF myself ... but I can't figure out when I'd do it. It looks like a lot of fun, and I thought I'd bring DD. It would be some nice, fun mommy-daughter time. Especially if we dressed up real nice.

Your plans look good! I'm excited for F&G! I think it was our May trip ... we arrived the day after it ended. I was bummed. (But we couldn't change dates due to a wedding.) So I'm excited to see F&G this year!

I think it makes the most sense for us to do it on an Epcot day, just because we hardly spend any time on actual rides there, almost exclusively in the World Showcase, so we would miss any major rides or attractions by ducking out in the afternoon.

Your last day plans sound wonderful.

Just curious - do you have an outline somewhere in your PTR, of which parks on which days? I just wanted to see if we'll cross paths in any of the parks.



I think that High Tea would be fun... I've heard good things about it - but I'll admit that I haven't even thought of it for this trip - so the things I remember are probably out of date.

D~

Here you go:

Saturday March 3rd: Downtown Disney
Sunday March 4th: Magic Kingdom
Monday March 5th: Epcot
Tuesday March 6th: Animal Kingdom
Wednesday March 7th: Hollywood Studios
Thursday March 8th: Hollywood Studios
Friday March 10th: Magic Kingdom
Saturday March 10th: Epcot
Sunday March 11th: Magic Kingdom/Downtown Disney/Fly Home

 

[JessicaKnits]

Day 7 started off simply enough. We hopped a bus from Pop to Hollywood Studios, and then walked over to the Boardwalk. When I asked the bus driver to point me in the direction of the walking path, she said we should have just told her that we were going to Boardwalk and she would have just dropped us off there. I told her it wasn't a problem as we would enjoy the walk and had left in plenty of time.

We walked in to a completely deserted Kouzzina. Literally, no one else there. I was worried, because sometimes when you are the only people there, its easy for servers to practically join your table because they are bored with nothing else to do. However, this was not the case at all! I did feel a tad bit stupid about telling the hostess that we had an ADR though.

So, this was the morning that it really started to hit me that our adventure was starting to wind down and we started to kick everything into high gear.

Breakfast was at Kouzzina this morning, so we hopped a bus over to Hollywood Studios and took a really nice stroll over to the Boardwalk.

We had an 8:00 AM reservation, which really was totally unneccessary for our time of year. We walked in and were the only people in the place, and only one other table showed up while we were dining. A very zen start to our morning.

We both had OJ for breakfast, and I resisted the urge to try the bloody mary or sangria here, as both sounded wonderful, but would have been a bad way to start the day, seeing as it was already approaching 90.

So I jumped right into the stacked Kouzzina.

Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - Two Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive Toast, Artichoke Spread, and Sweet Potato Hash with choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage $11.99


I decided to have the Chicken sausage with breakfast. I was a little disappointed because I had previously seen pictures where all the little items were separate and you got to assemble them yourself. However, I really CAN'T complain, because everything was DELICIOUS! The sweet potato hash was heavenly, eggs poached properly, and the artichoke spread was very flavorful, but still light. could have done without the chicken sausage though.

Adam had this:

American - Two Eggs with Breakfast Potatoes and choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage $11.99

Very standard fare for breakfast, but was all hearty and good. He wished this would have come with sweet potato hash instead of the breakfast potatoes.

All in all, a super breakfast for us. We left feeling full, but not stuffed, and the healthy options here got us started on the right foot for the rest of the day.

Total cost of meal: $34.04
Total credits used: 2

Then we walked back over to Hollywood Studios.

Our first ride of the day?

I promise, I did not use any flash on the following pictures.

Hadn't heard very much about this ride before we went, but I was very glad to have done it!

After The Great Movie Ride, we did some exploring...

And found some yummy treats...

And some theatrical folks...

Before we headed to the Tower!

To be continued...

 

[Lidian]

I think it makes the most sense for us to do it on an Epcot day, just because we hardly spend any time on actual rides there, almost exclusively in the World Showcase, so we would miss any major rides or attractions by ducking out in the afternoon.

Here you go:

Saturday March 3rd: Downtown Disney I'll be at DTD, too!
Sunday March 4th: Magic Kingdom I'll be here for PM EMHs with DD!
Monday March 5th: Epcot
Tuesday March 6th: Animal Kingdom
Wednesday March 7th: Hollywood Studios I'll be here, too!
Thursday March 8th: Hollywood Studios
Friday March 10th: Magic Kingdom
Saturday March 10th: Epcot
Sunday March 11th: Magic Kingdom/Downtown Disney/Fly Home

I commented above in red on areas we may pass each other. DD and I really enjoyed your GMR pictures! I never considered taking flash-less pictures on the ride. DD especially loved your ToT pictures (it's her favorite ride, me - not so much).

 

[JessicaKnits]

I commented above in red on areas we may pass each other. DD and I really enjoyed your GMR pictures! I never considered taking flash-less pictures on the ride. DD especially loved your ToT pictures (it's her favorite ride, me - not so much).

We always say we are going to stay for Extra Magic Hours at night, and usually we end up punking out and going home. But, I am commited to staying for them on this night! We have the Keys to the Kingdom Tour this morning, so will probably take a snooze at the hotel before our dinner at Ohana.

 

[JessicaKnits]

So, we had left off at the Tower of Terror. We did a bit of wandering about and Adam found his long lost friend...

Handy Manny...

He likes Manny because they are both "carpenters".

Next we headed over to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.

Overall, I didn't really enjoy this. I don't think we will go back to it this year.

To Be Continued...

 

[DMGeurts]

Here you go:

Saturday March 3rd: Downtown Disney
Sunday March 4th: Magic Kingdom
Monday March 5th: Epcot
Tuesday March 6th: Animal Kingdom
Wednesday March 7th: Hollywood Studios
Thursday March 8th: Hollywood Studios
Friday March 10th: Magic Kingdom
Saturday March 10th: Epcot
Sunday March 11th: Magic Kingdom/Downtown Disney/Fly Home

BUmmer, it doesn't look like we will be in any of the same parks on the same days. I thought it would have been cool to meet one of Josh's distant relatives.

D~

 

[Lidian]

We always say we are going to stay for Extra Magic Hours at night, and usually we end up punking out and going home. But, I am commited to staying for them on this night! We have the Keys to the Kingdom Tour this morning, so will probably take a snooze at the hotel before our dinner at Ohana.

I've usually avoided the PM EMH parks (honestly, I've NEVER done a PM EMH before). So this will be a first for us. The biggest reason is that DH whines so much when we're at WDW, so I try to find less reasons for him to whine. If I forced him to stay at a park late, he'd whine, and then whine the next day because I got him up early.

But since it's just DD and myself for the evenings (and DH can pretty much go sleep anytime after dinner), we'll totally give it a go! We may not stay until park close ... but we'll stay until we're tired and ready to call it a night (and hey, that could very well be park close!).

Totally love the Handy Manny pic! Manny is one of my DS's favorite characters! I love that he sought out Manny because they're both carpenters! Great story!!

Indy Jones is a must do for us! Our first trip, DH asked over and over and over if I scheduled time to see the show (he's a big Indy fan). I reassured him we'd see it. Afterwards, he bought the hat (and last year a ball cap), and said he enjoyed it, but wouldn't care to see it again. Then the following year, he insisted on seeing it ... then the year after ... so I'm banking we'll have to see it again in March.

 

[JessicaKnits]

BUmmer, it doesn't look like we will be in any of the same parks on the same days. I thought it would have been cool to meet one of Josh's distant relatives.

D~

I guess I will just have to resort to my initial plan. Converting you all to Packer fans and having you move to the right side of the Mississippi.

I've usually avoided the PM EMH parks (honestly, I've NEVER done a PM EMH before). So this will be a first for us. The biggest reason is that DH whines so much when we're at WDW, so I try to find less reasons for him to whine. If I forced him to stay at a park late, he'd whine, and then whine the next day because I got him up early.

But since it's just DD and myself for the evenings (and DH can pretty much go sleep anytime after dinner), we'll totally give it a go! We may not stay until park close ... but we'll stay until we're tired and ready to call it a night (and hey, that could very well be park close!).

Totally love the Handy Manny pic! Manny is one of my DS's favorite characters! I love that he sought out Manny because they're both carpenters! Great story!!

Indy Jones is a must do for us! Our first trip, DH asked over and over and over if I scheduled time to see the show (he's a big Indy fan). I reassured him we'd see it. Afterwards, he bought the hat (and last year a ball cap), and said he enjoyed it, but wouldn't care to see it again. Then the following year, he insisted on seeing it ... then the year after ... so I'm banking we'll have to see it again in March.

That sounds like a typical guy! Adam is always very non descript. Yea, uh I want to eat at that one restaurant we ate at last time (we had 30 ADRS last trip!) You know, the one with the really good bread basket. Helpful. Verrrrrrry helpful.

 

[DMGeurts]

I guess I will just have to resort to my initial plan. Converting you all to Packer fans and having you move to the right side of the Mississippi.

Hate to say it, but that'll probably never happen... seeing as we are the only Minnesotans that can't stand football... Baseball and Hockey on the other hand.... BIG FANS!

D~

 

[JessicaKnits]

Hate to say it, but that'll probably never happen... seeing as we are the only Minnesotans that can't stand football... Baseball and Hockey on the other hand.... BIG FANS!

D~

Is it wrong if I say that I would rather anyone not like football at all, then cheer for the Vikings or the Bears?

 

[JessicaKnits]

After Indiana Jones, we had wanted to go see Lights...Motors...Action! but it was unbearably hot outside. We went back to the hotel for some pool time before we had to leave for our dinner reservation that night.

We hopped a bus to the Magic Kingdom...then hopped another bus too....

The Wilderness Lodge!

Here is my review from our dinner at Artist Point.

Artist Point was another restaurant we were REALLY looking forward too. Adam is a big game hunter, so I knew he would find the options here very appealing.

I also had pre-ordered a specialty cake for Adam to come after dinner. I had reconfirmed a few days before we left on our trip, and reminded the hostess when I checked in. The cake was sort of a big deal to me. Ever since Adam was a kid, he had a strawberry cream cake from Tastee Bakery for his birthday. EVERY year. Well, Tastee Bakery went out of business last year, which sent me on a frantic search for a bakery that would make a cake with a fresh strawberry/custard filling on short notice, in the middle of December. I was wildly unsuccessful and ended up with a strawberry buttercream cake. Even though this trip was nowhere near his birthday, I saw an opportunity to redeem myself. I worked with the kitchen staff at Wilderness directly. My directions were simple: Strawberry/Custard filling, white buttercream, and the words "Celebrate the Magic" on the top. I wanted it simply decorated, nothing over the top.

I sent Adam out to take a few pictures of the resort, when our waitress came up and said "Do you want that cake to be white cake or chocolate?" I explained that I had ordered a custom cake, and she went off to straighten everything out. I was now in a panic. Oh my gosh, they don't have the cake! It was all I could think about. I wanted it to be a surprise, so I had to put on the happy face and enjoy dinner!

For apps, I had to have the soup!

Smokey Portobello Soup - with Roasted Shiitakes and Chive Oil $9

This is really **Nirvana** in a little bowl of amazingness. I was totally tempted to tell the waitress that I wanted that as my entree too, but didn't.

Adam, of course, went with this:

Heirloom tomato salad! He thought it was good. It was their "seasonal" app, so it no longer appears on the menu.

For mains I went with:

Grilled Buffalo Striploin $43

This came with a side of totally useless fried brown rice. It was served in a sort of phyllo cup rolled on its side, which was really difficult to eat, with out grabbing onto the cup and digging in.

The buffalo was good and cooked very well.

And for Adam:

Grilled Beef Tenderloin - with Zellwood Cornbread Pudding, oven-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and lemon-herb butter $41

Another winning dish here. Perfectly cooked beef and the sides went with very well.

The one downside to eating at AP on the dining plan is you also get a side with your dish. This was the only signature we encountered this at.

We both had the mac and cheese, and both had to be boxed up to go. We ended up throwing it out.

So, still not knowing if we would have cake or not, the waitress came to take our dessert order. We both ordered the berry cobbler.

And then...TADA!!!

Cake arrives!!! Oh and was it perfect. Exactly how it was from Tastee Bakery. I earned MAJOR points back with this. (Maybe its now a good reason to go back to DW more often!)

So, it was in the middle of the cake excitement that our real desserts arrived, so we each had a piece of cake AND the cobblers. Both were amazing and incredible. But by the time we finished, I felt like I had eaten an entire buffalo. We had our cake boxed up to take home, along with the the Mac's and then slumbered through our food coma.

Total Cost of Food (Not including specialty cake): $196.37
Total Credits Used: 6 (Will explain in a moment)
Cost of Specialty Cake: $38.34

So, it wasn't until the next morning at breakfast that we realized we got charged 6 credits at Artist Point for Dinner. So, when we got back to the hotel, we went to guest services and brought our receipt from Artist Point to show that we were only dining for 2 the previous night. Apparently due to the way the waitress entered the cake on our bill, it looked like a third person, so deducted an extra 2 credits. I also paid for the cake on my Visa card. So, the guy at guest services refunded the charge on my Visa card. It worked out well for us since we ended up canceling our lunch at Sci Fi that day, so actually had extra credits to use. Now, I certainly would not guess that it is ever an option to use your extra meal credits for cake, and sure it would never happen again, but worked well to our advantage!

So, now begs the question...should I order a specialty cake again this year? I wasn't all that thrilled with the execution or design of the cake last year, but that wasn't what I was concerned about either. I needed the flavor of the cake to be right, and it was. It was really delicious! I actually wanted my wedding cake to be similar with custard filling and fresh strawberries, we are getting married in June after all, peak strawberry season! Nobody does them in our area! So, we are having a lemon curd with fresh raspberry in the center instead. If we were going to do another specialty cake, it would be our first night when we have dinner at Flying Fish Cafe and I could order from the Boardwalk bakery. But, I am also worried that we will end up with a ton of leftover snack credits again, or waste the cake...difficult choice! Stay tuned...

 

[Lidian]

If you decide to do a cake, tell them to put your cake on a separate check and explain you are paying cash/credit/debit/Monopoly cash for it (or charge it to the room).

 

[JessicaKnits]

If you decide to do a cake, tell them to put your cake on a separate check and explain you are paying cash/credit/debit/Monopoly cash for it (or charge it to the room).

Thanks! I think our waitress was definitely new(er) and I also don't think custom cakes are done very often at Artist Point but it all worked out in the end. Especially since we cancelled a lunch at Sci Fi that day, we had an extra credit each to use, that I wouldn't have been able to fill in an ADR to use. So it ended up working out.

 

[JessicaKnits]

I booked the Grand Floridian Tea! I was surprised to find numerous seating times available, and equally surprised that it doesn't require a credit card guarantee! I just couldn't resist the online menus and the delicious looking pictures on the food porn thread. I can't wait to try it out and report back to everyone how it was. We booked this for our last full day (an Epcot day) to fall between our lunch at Chefs de France and our dinner at Coral Reef.

 

[Lidian]

I booked the Grand Floridian Tea! I was surprised to find numerous seating times available, and equally surprised that it doesn't require a credit card guarantee! I just couldn't resist the online menus and the delicious looking pictures on the food porn thread. I can't wait to try it out and report back to everyone how it was. We booked this for our last full day (an Epcot day) to fall between our lunch at Chefs de France and our dinner at Coral Reef.

Grats! I'm still mulling this over with my DD. I guess I'll just have to see where our finances are and if I can fit it in. I know she'd absolutely LOVE it! (And me, too!) But if not this trip, then perhaps a future mommy-daughter trip could be planned and we could definitely make this work!

Looking forward to hearing more about it, and seeing how wonderful it is!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Grats! I'm still mulling this over with my DD. I guess I'll just have to see where our finances are and if I can fit it in. I know she'd absolutely LOVE it! (And me, too!) But if not this trip, then perhaps a future mommy-daughter trip could be planned and we could definitely make this work!

Looking forward to hearing more about it, and seeing how wonderful it is!

I will do a good job at taking notes! Have you checked out the menus on allears.net? They sound delicious!

 

[JessicaKnits]

So, I was going to wait until the end of this pre-trip report to spill the beans. Really, I was. Then, I was going to wait until I at least got through all the planning portion of this pre-trip report. But then...I decided I couldn't wait anymore.

So...a little background.

When I was off slaving away in New York. Well, maybe not slaving away, but working 16 hours a day, 6 days a week, for four months, I of course earned overtime pay. However, at home I normally have a salary base + commission. While I was in New York, I didn't earn commission, but instead was eligible for a bonus based off of my sites performance. I was expecting that bonus to be about what I normally make for that period of time during the year, but instead it ended up being about 3x what I was expecting. So, after Uncle Sam took his share, it was enough to pay off some wedding stuff, the last bit of my car loan (only a few months worth) and...most importantly...have a majority of it still left over.

I was initially planning on upgrading our resort for this trip. But I am honestly very happy with Coronado. And it was going to be approximately $1500 to upgrade to a Deluxe resort using the current 30% off promotion. It was a hard decision, because I have always wanted to stay Deluxe, but I just can't justify it. If it were a trip where we were planning on hanging around the resort a majority of the trip, then maybe. But this is not that kind of trip, so in the end, I just couldn't do it.

So...what else could we do?

Thought about a cruise, but the itinerary I wanted was not available until June, and I will probably be deep in the interview process for my site assignment for next year at that time, so not a good time to be taking off of work.

So where or where might we be going? I will give you a hint...It IS Disney related!

 

[Lidian]

I will do a good job at taking notes! Have you checked out the menus on allears.net? They sound delicious!

I have checked out the menus! It sounds divine!

Hmmm... my guess: DisneyLand?

 

[DMGeurts]

Congrats on the bonus! I can't figure out where you're going, unless it's Hawaii?

D~