A Beachy, Boozy Birthday in Disney 9/4/2021 NEW TR Link/COMPLETE!!!

[MeghanEmily]

Yay Jenny! I'm a little late, but I'm here! I also realized that somehow, even though I have definitely watched a few of your videos, I've never actually subscribed to your Youtube channel! Whoops! I don't spend too too much time on Youtube, but I'm subscribed now so I'll try my best to watch some when I can and send some likes your way.

This was also a very turbulent flight and if you know me, you know I hate flying

You and me both, girl!

the Swan Resort. This was going to be a one-night stay and a first for us. Unfortunately, this was a VERY bad experience. To make a very loooooooong story short, the room didn't have air. So, we were moved to a second room. This room smelled like someone had been chain-smoking in it for the last 5 hours and it too did not have air. The thermostat wouldn't even turn on. 10 trips to the front desk and 5 hours later, we were moved to the Dolphin Resort because the Swan Resort was out of rooms. Sigh.

Oh no! That sounds awful! I often hear really good reviews of the Swolphin resorts, Swan in particular, so this is also really good to know. Sorry it was a bad experience.

Oh my gosh you all look soo cute and I'm envious!

As a special surprise, our server brought me a chocolate Mickey-shaped brownie/mouse to celebrate it being my birthday.

That's so nice! And your breakfast pictures looked great!

All too soon it was time for our dining reservation at the newly reopened and refurbished Citricos. We were so looking forward to this.

Yum! This is definitely near the top of my list for restaurants we want to get back to when we can return to WDW someday.

FULL DINING EXPERIENCE AT THE NEWLY REOPENED CITRICOS / DISNEY'S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT - 7/25/21

About to watch a bit of your experience, but I'm thinking that looks like Rony in the thumbnail so you must have had excellent service

 

[Wood Nymph]

I see that Rony is back. I loved hearing all the special features of the Mary Poppins themed restaurant. The food looks delicious, as usual. I am especially happy that Touring Plans was able to find a reservation for us next month

 

[suse66]

I will have a full dining report tomorrow for those of you who would like to read about it. I will say, that we loved it so much that we dined here again 2 weeks later.

Given your wonderful experience here, I am regretting canceling our reservation in favour of California Grill even more.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Yay Jenny! I'm a little late, but I'm here! I also realized that somehow, even though I have definitely watched a few of your videos, I've never actually subscribed to your Youtube channel! Whoops! I don't spend too too much time on Youtube, but I'm subscribed now so I'll try my best to watch some when I can and send some likes your way.

Meghan! How are you?!?! So good to "see" you.

Yum! This is definitely near the top of my list for restaurants we want to get back to when we can return to WDW someday.

It was perfect from start to finish!

About to watch a bit of your experience, but I'm thinking that looks like Rony in the thumbnail so you must have had excellent service

It was Rony! He was amazing!!! We went back 2 weeks later and requested him again.

I see that Rony is back. I loved hearing all the special features of the Mary Poppins themed restaurant. The food looks delicious, as usual. I am especially happy that Touring Plans was able to find a reservation for us next month

I want to go back again! We have it booked for the 50th but not sure how that will end up time wise...

Given your wonderful experience here, I am regretting canceling our reservation in favour of California Grill even more.

We have not been happy with our service at Cali Grill as of late. Citricos has just been perfect!!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Let me start by saying that we were fans of Citricos before the refurb and love it even more now. We were able to dine here twice in 2 weeks and have reservations to go back for the 50th. This was the perfect dining experience from start to finish and Rony, our waiter was absolutely amazing. I am salivating just thinking about our meals...

Joe and I started with drinks. I decided on the Amaro Grapefruit Spritz, Amaro Nonino, Antica Vermouth, Tanqueray Gin, House Grapefruit, Florida Honey, and House seltzer. Joe had the 1806 Old Fashioned, Whistle Pig, Chef Made Orange Reduction, and Del Maguey Vida Mezcal. Both of these were made perfectly. We really enjoyed them.

For apps, we shared the Wild Mushrooms Arancini, Truffle Aïoli, Watercress, and Champagne Vinaigrette (Plant-based). I can't even begin to explain how delicious this was. Our only complaint was that we wished this was bigger.

For dinner, I had the Butter-poached Florida Cobia, Mashed Fingerling Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Local Mushrooms, and Grapefruit Buerre Blanc. Joe had the Domestic Golden Tilefish, Jupiter Rice Chorizo "Risotto", Key West Pink Shrimp, and Confit Tomatoes. OMG! Perfection. That's all I can say.

We just had to have dessert and the Blackberry Tartelette, Lemon Bavarian and Blackberry Mousse enrobed in Glacage with Candied Violet was utter bliss. This is quite possibly the best dessert on property. If you don't believe me, ask the dishes. Oops! Wrong movie, lol!

After dinner, Joe and I watched HEA from the boat dock and yes, I cried again. I am going to miss this show so much and I hope the replacement does it justice...

Next up, Joe and I try something new at Disney...

 

[MeghanEmily]

Meghan! How are you?!?! So good to "see" you.

I'm doing well! Glad to be back on the DIS! Hopefully I'll manage to stick around for a while this time School starts in a couple of weeks, so I'm soaking up my last few days of freedom before heading back to work!

This was the perfect dining experience from start to finish and Rony, our waiter was absolutely amazing. I am salivating just thinking about our meals...

OMG yum. Everything looked amazing, and Rony is so attentive and wonderful. I was getting equal parts hungry and envious when I watched the video.

For dinner, I had the Butter-poached Florida Cobia, Mashed Fingerling Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Local Mushrooms, and Grapefruit Buerre Blanc.

Everything looked good, but your meal in particular I wanted to try! What a great experience

 

[ExpeditionEmily]

Sounds like a great trip so far! Can't wait to try the Enchanted Rose

 

[Jenny Sanders]

OMG yum. Everything looked amazing, and Rony is so attentive and wonderful. I was getting equal parts hungry and envious when I watched the video.

This was by far one of the best dining experiences we have had in a while. We were lucky to have Rony again 2 weeks later.

Sounds like a great trip so far! Can't wait to try the Enchanted Rose

We really like the Enchanted Rose. Every drink we've had we've really enjoyed.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

GENIE and OTHER DISNEY WORLD CHANGES THAT UPSET US!

Yep, you know we had to give our 2 cents worth and then a bit more...But that's all we can afford because the rest of our hard earned cash is going to Disney, lol!!!

 

[kastoney]

I will have a full dining report tomorrow for those of you who would like to read about it. I will say, that we loved it so much that we dined here again 2 weeks later.

I meant to text ya but we watched this the other day and it looks SO good!!!!! Jason also commented that Joe is his drinking spirit animal so he's feeling like he can live vicariously through him. Maybe they'll be Brother Husbands

Let me start by saying that we were fans of Citricos before the refurb and love it even more now. We were able to dine here twice in 2 weeks and have reservations to go back for the 50th.

You have me so excited to eat here whenever we can get back to Disney. Definitely more interested in eating here than CG

For apps, we shared the Wild Mushrooms Arancini, Truffle Aïoli, Watercress, and Champagne Vinaigrette (Plant-based). I can't even begin to explain how delicious this was. Our only complaint was that we wished this was bigger.

This sounds delicious - sans the mushrooms of course. Are they actually in the arancini or on the side?

For dinner, I had the Butter-poached Florida Cobia, Mashed Fingerling Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Local Mushrooms, and Grapefruit Buerre Blanc. Joe had the Domestic Golden Tilefish, Jupiter Rice Chorizo "Risotto", Key West Pink Shrimp, and Confit Tomatoes. OMG! Perfection. That's all I can say.

So you have to pick...Which Dish was the better of the 2. They both sound amazing

Great picture!!! You look absolutely glowing in your pink

Yep, you know we had to give our 2 cents worth and then a bit more...But that's all we can afford because the rest of our hard earned cash is going to Disney, lol!!!

I'll have watch this with Joe's Brother Husband (so gonna make this a thing). I'm trying not to get too worked up about it without seeing how it actually works, but I'm so over the money grabs

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I meant to text ya but we watched this the other day and it looks SO good!!!!! Jason also commented that Joe is his drinking spirit animal so he's feeling like he can live vicariously through him. Maybe they'll be Brother Husbands

I love that!!! We are making it a thing!!!

You have me so excited to eat here whenever we can get back to Disney. Definitely more interested in eating here than CG

We have just found that service isn't consistent at Cali Grill. The food has been good, but that darn service is spotty.

This sounds delicious - sans the mushrooms of course. Are they actually in the arancini or on the side?

I want to say it had onion and truffle oil...The mushroom flavor was very delicate.

So you have to pick...Which Dish was the better of the 2. They both sound amazing

They were both very good. We also had the filet in August and thought that was very good too.

I'll have watch this with Joe's Brother Husband (so gonna make this a thing). I'm trying not to get too worked up about it without seeing how it actually works, but I'm so over the money grabs

It's officially a thing!!!!
I
I'm just over it. We will try it over the 50th just to show our viewers what it's like and we will pay to ride the rat ride. But, then I'm done. Not happening again. I personally can't keep supporting Disney when they keep taking away, making it seem like a great deal and charging more for it.

 

[Ensusieasm]

GENIE and OTHER DISNEY WORLD CHANGES THAT UPSET US!

Yep, you know we had to give our 2 cents worth and then a bit more...But that's all we can afford because the rest of our hard earned cash is going to Disney, lol!!!

Yup! This ^ . ALL of this! Couldn’t have said it better myself!

 

[Wood Nymph]

The thing about Genie+ is that there probably won't be a limit on how many Genie+ subscriptions are sold. That means that a guest could get many more "fastpasses" per day then they had with the free 3 a day fastpasses of the past. What will this do to the standby lines? Will it mean that people will now stay in the parks all day instead of riding a few rides and then going back to the resort?

The Disney upcharge - money grab - item that affects us the most is the charge for Magical Express. The free ride to the Disney resort was a huge incentive for staying at one of their resorts. Now we have to decide if it is worth it or not.

 

[MeghanEmily]

GENIE and OTHER DISNEY WORLD CHANGES THAT UPSET US!

Yep, you know we had to give our 2 cents worth and then a bit more...But that's all we can afford because the rest of our hard earned cash is going to Disney, lol!!!

Some really good info here. And some thoughts that I definitely agree with, for sure. When you talk about Disney taking the perks out of staying on site, that hits home for me. We LOVE the Disney bubble. Love staying on site. It feels more magical than staying elsewhere. Lately we've been doing split stays for longer trips and staying part-time onsite and part-time off. But as much as we like it, the "magic" is starting to not stack up against the cost. I expect that we'll be doing more and more time offsite if and when we go back. We have my grandmother's timeshare to stay nearby, and it's just so much of a better value for us to do it that way.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Yup! This ^ . ALL of this! Couldn’t have said it better myself!

Thank you. There's zero incentive to stay on-site currently...

The thing about Genie+ is that there probably won't be a limit on how many Genie+ subscriptions are sold. That means that a guest could get many more "fastpasses" per day then they had with the free 3 a day fastpasses of the past. What will this do to the standby lines? Will it mean that people will now stay in the parks all day instead of riding a few rides and then going back to the resort?

The Disney upcharge - money grab - item that affects us the most is the charge for Magical Express. The free ride to the Disney resort was a huge incentive for staying at one of their resorts. Now we have to decide if it is worth it or not.

It's all so ridiculous. Every single thing that was free and included in your resort stay now has a price tag on it. I love Disney and we will still vacation there but it won't be our exclusive vacation destination.

Some really good info here. And some thoughts that I definitely agree with, for sure. When you talk about Disney taking the perks out of staying on site, that hits home for me. We LOVE the Disney bubble. Love staying on site. It feels more magical than staying elsewhere. Lately we've been doing split stays for longer trips and staying part-time onsite and part-time off. But as much as we like it, the "magic" is starting to not stack up against the cost. I expect that we'll be doing more and more time offsite if and when we go back. We have my grandmother's timeshare to stay nearby, and it's just so much of a better value for us to do it that way.

Thanks Meghan! I agree. LOVE the Disney bubble but there's nothing to gain anymore besides the location and that's just not good enough for me right now.

 

[vamassey1]

I'm really worried about getting some Pork Nachos next month. I won't be driving there but I don't want my mobile order to be denied.

Your birthday flowers are lovely.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I'm really worried about getting some Pork Nachos next month. I won't be driving there but I don't want my mobile order to be denied.

Your birthday flowers are lovely.

You should be fine if you aren’t driving to the resort.

 

[vamassey1]

Your dinner at Citricos sounds perfect. I do love seafood and the dessert is almost too pretty to eat. Great service really does make it worth it.

 

[rdkeim]

The changes are SO disappointing! I've been thinking for a while that Disney is getting greedy. The room rates have gone sky high and are almost out of reach. We have reservations to take our 2 grandsons, 2 sons and daughter in law. The cost is really ridiculous! Now this on top of everything else. We've promised them this trip so we'll go but it may be the last time. I wanted my grandsons to have a trip like their Dad and uncle had when they were young. This is not the same Disney. My DH and I go often just the 2 of us but probably not in the future. For what it's worth I will express my thoughts to Disney.....

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Your dinner at Citricos sounds perfect. I do love seafood and the dessert is almost too pretty to eat. Great service really does make it worth it.

I can't express enough how awesome this meal was. Everyone needs to add it to their to-do lists, lol.

The changes are SO disappointing! I've been thinking for a while that Disney is getting greedy. The room rates have gone sky high and are almost out of reach. We have reservations to take our 2 grandsons, 2 sons and daughter in law. The cost is really ridiculous! Now this on top of everything else. We've promised them this trip so we'll go but it may be the last time. I wanted my grandsons to have a trip like their Dad and uncle had when they were young. This is not the same Disney. My DH and I go often just the 2 of us but probably not in the future. For what it's worth I will express my thoughts to Disney.....

That's why we did the vlog. It's frustrating that Disney is taking the magic out of Disney. It's really very disappointing.