*8/6 Update: Our Intentions Were Good, But The Treats Were Better: One Month in Disney (4/21-5/21)

[mickey916]

OMG I cracked up because the harassment over the salad is something my boys would definitely do to me. I am loving your trip report.

Thank you so much! I do take a lot of heat sometimes, lol.

 

[disneyAndi14]

When I see your pictures it makes me really want to go to Ohana’s again! We have been about 4-5x in the past but unfortunately Andi isn’t a big fan anymore with her current diet. I love the noodles and pot stickers, yummy. I loved the shrimp on the skewers but something seems lost now that they are served on a plate.
The bread pudding I could eat every night, lol
I’m glad you all had an amazing meal!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Ok, I think I found the new mystery avatar dessert, but I don’t want to spoil it for others, so I won’t let the cat out of the bag.

I actually wasn’t 100% sure I found it though, because the desserts don’t look completely identical. I was thinking they might be two different photos of the same type of dessert, but that just makes me sound a bit nutty. Of course then I wondered if this was a plot to throw us off… to see if we noticed. Lol.
Yes. I’m probably overthinking this. I watch a lot of baking shows.

 

[mickey916]

Ok, I think I found the new mystery avatar dessert, but I don’t want to spoil it for others, so I won’t let the cat out of the bag.

I actually wasn’t 100% sure I found it though, because the desserts don’t look completely identical. I was thinking they might be two different photos of the same type of dessert, but that just makes me sound a bit nutty. Of course then I wondered if this was a plot to throw us off… to see if we noticed. Lol.
Yes. I’m probably overthinking this. I watch a lot of baking shows.

You're too funny. I'm not that devious. I just picked a different version when I wrote my report. But, the picture in my avatar is the better photo. How's this for a full shot of the avatar photo?

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

You're too funny. I'm not that devious. I just picked a different version when I wrote my report. But, the picture in my avatar is the better photo. How's this for a full shot of the avatar photo?

Perfect! It looks so delicious!

 

[mickey916]

Perfect! It looks so delicious!

and it is! Time to change my avatar again....

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

and it is! Time to change my avatar again....

I have to say that the pineapple coconut bread served warm with honey butter that you showed earlier at Ohana’s, looks positively irresistible, as does the chocolate almond bread.

 

[mickey916]

5/13 Our Family Epcot Day
​

We started our morning with some pastries from Java, using our complimentary breakfast vouchers. I didn’t get pictures but we shared a blueberry muffin, chocolate chip muffin and ham & egg croissant. I also made coffee in the room with my travel Keurig. We thought they were all very good, fresh and flavorful.

After our quick breakfast we walked to Epcot from the Swan, arriving just after early entry. We made our way to Frozen since I had not booked a Lightning Lane for it, opting to choose Remy as our Tier 1 ride. As we walked to Norway, DS-28 captured this photo of a squirrel narrowly escaping the crocodile.

We arrived at the line for Frozen at 8:45 and waited only 20 minutes to ride. We headed next to Living with the Land and rode with no wait before heading to Spaceship Earth and riding with only a 6 minute wait.

Our sons had not yet experienced the Journey of Water Inspired by Moana so we walked through with them. As we were walking we noticed these distinct footprints in the walkway.

The footprints led us directly to Hei-Hei.

We finally found him! Our sons thought the interactive water displays were cool.

After exploring the Journey of Water, it was finally time for our first LL which I booked for Finding Nemo, simply because it was the earliest time I could find and it would open up my ability to book another tier 1 ride. After tapping in for Finding Nemo, I then booked Soarin’ for a timeslot immediately following our ride on Finding Nemo.

After riding Finding Nemo and Soarin’, it was time for our LL for Remy so we walked back through the World Showcase to France. The first time DS-28 rode Remy back in 2022 it made him motion-sick but he was willing to try it again. Thankfully this time it didn’t bother him at all and he was able to enjoy the ride a lot more.

Originally I had an ADR for lunch at Shiki Sai but after we didn’t care for it at the start of our trip, I decided to make a lunch reservation at La Creperie.

We shared two Prix Fixe meals which included soup or salad, one galette, one dessert crepe, and one drink. DH and DS-28 shared one meal and DS-26 and I shared the other meal. We also ordered extra soups and drinks to round out our meals.

DH and I have previously ordered the salad as part of our prix fixe meal but this time we all decided to try the soup of the day which was a potato cheese soup.

This soup was fabulous! It was served warm and was filled with creamy, cheesy goodness. We all loved it.

Both “teams” chose the Savoyarde for our galette: Raclette Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Bacon, Imported Bayonne Ham

We all really enjoyed this. The caramelized onions contrasted well with the bacon and ham. We all enjoyed the buckwheat flavor of the galette itself.

For dessert DH and DS-28 chose the Poire: Pear, Chocolate Ganache, Whipped Cream

They loved this! None of us are big fans of pears but cooked in this crepe they were delicious! (DH and DS-28 were nice enough to give me and DS-26 a taste). The soft pears paired with the chocolate ganache and sweet crepe were a wonderful combination.

DS-26 and I ordered the Gourmande: Hazelnut-Chocolate Spread, Whipped Cream

This too was very good! We agreed though that the Poire was the best crepe we had tried (DH had tried the caramel-apple and peach-melba ones previously).

Our boys both felt that La Creperie was a unique but very tasty meal. Even though we shared two prix fixe meals (with added two soups) it was plenty of food for the four of us. Our server was also excellent this time. La Creperie earned an A yet again.

After our meal we rode Journey into Imagination with Figment and then watched the Disney & Pixar short film festival. Our sons had never seen those movies before and they especially enjoyed the creativity of the Get a Horse film.

We returned to World Showcase to explore some of the pavilions and just had to share our latest delicious discovery at Kringla Bakeri with our sons, the Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie

They agreed that this was a wonderful new treat to add to our usual line-up. Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie still gets an A+.

They are also fans of the schoolbread, so we picked up one of those to share as well.

We have found that the consistency of the schoolbread differs from time to time. I would assume the fresher ones would be available in the morning but that wasn’t the case this time. This “afternoon” schoolbread was much fresher than the morning one we had previously. It was a really good one! Schoolbread gets an A.

After we finished our treat, it had started to rain so we went to China. We visited with Mulan and then watched Reflections of China. We don’t usually take the time to watch it but it was a good way to wait out the rain. DH had to close his eyes for some of it when there was a lot of motion but he was able to see most of it.

When we exited the theater the rain had stopped so we toured Germany and were fortunate enough to see the Hummels strike the bell in the clock tower.

We toured the Italy pavilion next before heading back to World Discovery for our sons’ first ride on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Up next..guarding the galaxy

 

[ddluvsdisney]

5/13 Our Family Epcot Day
​

We started our morning with some pastries from Java, using our complimentary breakfast vouchers. I didn’t get pictures but we shared a blueberry muffin, chocolate chip muffin and ham & egg croissant. I also made coffee in the room with my travel Keurig. We thought they were all very good, fresh and flavorful.

Do you get breakfast vouchers at the Swan or was bc of Marriott status?

After our quick breakfast we walked to Epcot from the Swan, arriving just after early entry. We made our way to Frozen since I had not booked a Lightning Lane for it, opting to choose Remy as our Tier 1 ride. As we walked to Norway, DS-28 captured this photo of a squirrel narrowly escaping the crocodile.

Another great animal pic!

We arrived at the line for Frozen at 8:45 and waited only 20 minutes to ride. We headed next to Living with the Land and rode with no wait before heading to Spaceship Earth and riding with only a 6 minute wait.

I’d say what a hike that was but forgot you came in from the IG.

Our sons had not yet experienced the Journey of Water Inspired by Moana so we walked through with them. As we were walking we noticed these distinct footprints in the walkway.

The footprints led us directly to Hei-Hei.

We finally found him! Our sons thought the interactive water displays were cool.

Yay for finding Hei Hei. It is cool.

After exploring the Journey of Water, it was finally time for our first LL which I booked for Finding Nemo, simply because it was the earliest time I could find and it would open up my ability to book another tier 1 ride. After tapping in for Finding Nemo, I then booked Soarin’ for a timeslot immediately following our ride on Finding Nemo.

Good strategy with LL. I really hate the game you need to play. I’m just running out of patience for it all. I’m just happy it wasn’t like that when we first started going. Although I was younger then.

After riding Finding Nemo and Soarin’, it was time for our LL for Remy so we walked back through the World Showcase to France. The first time DS-28 rode Remy back in 2022 it made him motion-sick but he was willing to try it again. Thankfully this time it didn’t bother him at all and he was able to enjoy the ride a lot more.

I get nauseous on Remy too but always ride it. I wish I could see the whole ride.

Originally I had an ADR for lunch at Shiki Sai but after we didn’t care for it at the start of our trip, I decided to make a lunch reservation at La Creperie.

We shared two Prix Fixe meals which included soup or salad, one galette, one dessert crepe, and one drink. DH and DS-28 shared one meal and DS-26 and I shared the other meal. We also ordered extra soups and drinks to round out our meals.

DH and I have previously ordered the salad as part of our prix fixe meal but this time we all decided to try the soup of the day which was a potato cheese soup.

This soup was fabulous! It was served warm and was filled with creamy, cheesy goodness. We all loved it.

Both “teams” chose the Savoyarde for our galette: Raclette Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Bacon, Imported Bayonne Ham

We all really enjoyed this. The caramelized onions contrasted well with the bacon and ham. We all enjoyed the buckwheat flavor of the galette itself.

For dessert DH and DS-28 chose the Poire: Pear, Chocolate Ganache, Whipped Cream

They loved this! None of us are big fans of pears but cooked in this crepe they were delicious! (DH and DS-28 were nice enough to give me and DS-26 a taste). The soft pears paired with the chocolate ganache and sweet crepe were a wonderful combination.

DS-26 and I ordered the Gourmande: Hazelnut-Chocolate Spread, Whipped Cream

This too was very good! We agreed though that the Poire was the best crepe we had tried (DH had tried the caramel-apple and peach-melba ones previously).

Our boys both felt that La Creperie was a unique but very tasty meal. Even though we shared two prix fixe meals (with added two soups) it was plenty of food for the four of us. Our server was also excellent this time. La Creperie earned an A yet again.

Good call on La Creperie instead. We definitely need to make it over there one of these days.
We agreed that we weren’t going to make any ADRs next week.

After our meal we rode Journey into Imagination with Figment and then watched the Disney & Pixar short film festival. Our sons had never seen those movies before and they especially enjoyed the creativity of the Get a Horse film.

We returned to World Showcase to explore some of the pavilions and just had to share our latest delicious discovery at Kringla Bakeri with our sons, the Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie

They agreed that this was a wonderful new treat to add to our usual line-up. Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie still gets an A+.

They are also fans of the schoolbread, so we picked up one of those to share as well.

We have found that the consistency of the schoolbread differs from time to time. I would assume the fresher ones would be available in the morning but that wasn’t the case this time. This “afternoon” schoolbread was much fresher than the morning one we had previously. It was a really good one! Schoolbread gets an A.

I think instead of actual lunches I’m gonna have snacks!!! Ok I made an executive decision!

After we finished our treat, it had started to rain so we went to China. We visited with Mulan and then watched Reflections of China. We don’t usually take the time to watch it but it was a good way to wait out the rain. DH had to close his eyes for some of it when there was a lot of motion but he was able to see most of it.

When we exited the theater the rain had stopped so we toured Germany and were fortunate enough to see the Hummels strike the bell in the clock tower.

My Memere collected Hummels when I was a kid. They always remind me of her.

We toured the Italy pavilion next before heading back to World Discovery for our sons’ first ride on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Up next..guarding the galaxy

 

[pinkxray]

Ohana is one of my favorite too! Unfortunately, my family doesn’t love it like I do and our son is now 10 and adult price so I think we’ll be skipping it for awhile

We stayed at Portofino for a few days in July and loved it. I also booked it using the AP rate, and only picked it because it was the cheapest of the 3 resorts with express pass. We didn’t love it when we stayed there in 2021 but I think that was because we had a stroller and I had no idea to get around with all the stairs. We spent time finding our way around this time plus we no longer bring a stroller. Such a beautiful resort with huge rooms. Pool was great too.

I’m glad to see the salad at Circus Mcgurkus. It was on my possible lunch choices but we ended up leaving the parks to have lunch at NBC grill where I had my favorite salad of our trip.

I Love hot butterbeer! It’s my favorite item at Universal. We go to early entry specially to have breakfast at 3 broomsticks and I get my hot butterbeer. I don’t care if it Dec or 90 degrees.

We tried Ford’s Garage due to your reviews. Thanks for the idea. Everyone was happy with their meals. (I tired the berry salad, but yours looks good too)

 

[mickey916]

Do you get breakfast vouchers at the Swan or was bc of Marriott status?

It was bc of Marriott status. We got 2 vouchers per day for a "continental breakfast". They said we could also use them at Java for up to $20 value so that's what we did. I thought we could save them up and use them for the four of us to go to the Garden Grove but they had specific dates on them so we just shared pastries every morning.

Another great animal pic!

I'm so glad DS was able to take it in time.

Good strategy with LL. I really hate the game you need to play. I’m just running out of patience for it all. I’m just happy it wasn’t like that when we first started going. Although I was younger then.

I'm not a fan either of the added stress of LLs. I rarely use them when it's just me and DH. I'm considering purchasing for Epcot when we go in October just to be sure to get on Test Track. But, if it's alreay sold out by my purchase window I'll skip it for there too.

I get nauseous on Remy too but always ride it. I wish I could see the whole ride.

Interesting that Remy and FoP bother you and yet not Guardians. Happy for you though that you get to enjoy Guardians, the best ride in the universe.

Good call on La Creperie instead. We definitely need to make it over there one of these days.
We agreed that we weren’t going to make any ADRs next week.

We definitely make fewer ADRs than we used to.

I think instead of actual lunches I’m gonna have snacks!!! Ok I made an executive decision!

Sounds like a perfect plan to me!

My Memere collected Hummels when I was a kid. They always remind me of her.

My grandmother did too! She loved them.

 

[mickey916]

Ohana is one of my favorite too! Unfortunately, my family doesn’t love it like I do and our son is now 10 and adult price so I think we’ll be skipping it for awhile

Oh that's too bad. I think you should stop by Tambu Lounge and at least get the noodles, wings, potstickers and bread pudding as a consolation.

We stayed at Portofino for a few days in July and loved it. I also booked it using the AP rate, and only picked it because it was the cheapest of the 3 resorts with express pass. We didn’t love it when we stayed there in 2021 but I think that was because we had a stroller and I had no idea to get around with all the stairs. We spent time finding our way around this time plus we no longer bring a stroller. Such a beautiful resort with huge rooms. Pool was great too.

That is the only other downside to Portofino is all the confusing stairways. We got lost a couple times. I can't imagine navigating them with a stroller. It is gorgeous though!

I’m glad to see the salad at Circus Mcgurkus. It was on my possible lunch choices but we ended up leaving the parks to have lunch at NBC grill where I had my favorite salad of our trip.

I'll have to try the NBC Grill salad some time!

I Love hot butterbeer! It’s my favorite item at Universal. We go to early entry specially to have breakfast at 3 broomsticks and I get my hot butterbeer. I don’t care if it Dec or 90 degrees.

We will have to try 3 broomsticks for breakfast some time too!

We tried Ford’s Garage due to your reviews. Thanks for the idea. Everyone was happy with their meals. (I tired the berry salad, but yours looks good too)

I'm happy to hear you enjoyed Ford's Garage. I've been tempted to try the berry salad but the Thai chicken one is so good it's hard to give that one up!