Who we are:
Me (Fiona) 41 – Commando and Food Planner and Holiday Booker.
DH (Steve) 41 – He really does not like the cheese of Disney! Has got rather keen on golf since our last visit.
DD1 (Kate) 17 – I am ashamed to say that she wants to know if there is a hairdryer everywhere we are staying…shame on her!!
DD2 (Laura) 14 – The Fantasmic Laura of old.
DD3 (Sally) 10 – she will out park the lot of us…… and needs the least sleep.
Pre Trip Report Saturday 16th December 2006 - Monday 1st January 2007
Day 1 Sat 16th Dec Are we nearly there?
Day 2 Sun 17th Dec AK and Boma.
Day 3 Mon 18th Dec EPCOT and Le Cellier
Day 4 Tues 19th Dec MK and Narcossees
Day 5 Wednesday 20th December 2006
Today we have to be organised, as we don’t want to “queue” we need to get our rides in on Tower of Terror (ToT) and Rock n Roller Coaster (RnR) at MGM. We manage to get to opening for 8.45am! Today’s photos are taken by Kate!
Hold your breath, obtain a Fast Pass for ToT, ride ToT , ride RnR, FP RnR, ride ToT with FP. I don’t think we came back to use the RnR FPs, now I am confused as well!! Both of these rides are must dos, but I think I prefer ToT now. They have lap belts rather than the bars, but you seem to “fly” a lot!! Don’t need to sit next to someone tall to “fly” now!! The drops vary as well, but luckily my fear of heights doesn’t come into play on ToT or most roller coasters for some reason.
We time the first performance of Beauty and the Beast well, and sit near the front. We all enjoy it and come out singing. Horror of horrors we get to The great Movie Ride at the worst possible time according to our “tour guide recommendations”, sure enough we waited nearly ½ an hour. I think there are two versions to this ride, but we have only ever been on the gangster one. Sally had forgotten what happens, so she jumped! Very enjoyable.
We stick to our early lunch and trade 4 CS credits at ABC Commissary. However hard I look, MGM seems to have the least inspiring counter and table service offerings. 1 x Fish and Chips, 2x Cheeseburgers and 1x Cuban Sandwich (the latter is recommended) and four more chocolate mousses.
Fast Pass Dasher goes a long way to get FPs for Star Wars (we are on our way to 1.25pm Lights, Motor, Action anyway, good job as he is not feeling too great)
We trek all the way round and are seated high up at the back, I am beginning to feel the miles and am glad to sit down and enjoy the show. I’m glad to say that the good little Corsas are the stars here the same as Paris!! Surely they get it wrong some times?
Mega hike back out and straight onto Star Tours with the FPs. Steve definitely is feeling his Disney Flu now and heads off back to POR for a sleep. The four of us find a place for the Hollyday Stars and their Cars Parade. Our first parade this trip, although I must admit Stars and their Cars is my least favourite but we also only waited five minutes so worth seeing, we were sat in the sun, lovely in December as it was slightly overcast but lovely T shirt weather.
We catch a bus back and find Steve fast asleep, so we swim and hot tub for a very pleasant hour or two, before returning wondering if he is feeling like Spoodles tonight. Surprisingly, 2 paracetamol, no beer and 2 hours sleep with the prospect of food and not parades perks him up and we all get ready to drive over to the Boardwalk. We managed to go via EPCOT, we found the signing to be very vague in Disney, ie EPCOT and EPCOT resorts turn here, and then no sign to say keep far right for resorts, in fact no sign for resorts at all. These posh resorts have far less “ordinary” parking, a much longer walk than from our good old POR, although I generally get the “treatment” and dropped off in style so it’s only heresay about the hike.
We just made our 6.40pm reservation, although the youngest member of our party would have happily dined on the Jelly Bean combos from Seashore Sweets next door. We drag her out, and are seated in another pleasant open dining room, we had the entertainment of the Pizza Window guy twirling his pizza bases near the ceiling a la Generation Game circa 1974 style, but not dropping them at all.
We use 4 TS credits again. This was the first time we were made to feel awkward booking 5 seats and only ordering 4 meals, all of our DDP was adult rate, we were not conning anyone just spreading our plan over an extra day. We enjoy the bread and tapenade brought to the table whilst waiting for my cocktail, Steve’s wine and the girls drinks. We are having a battle by now to cut down Laura’s pink lemonade consumption, since she discovered that glasses are refilled she doesn’t stop. No smoothies for DDP use here. We order
1 x Crispy Fried Calamari - with olive-pepperoncini relish $9.49
This was one of the best starters the whole holiday, crispy, tender and a tasty relish.
2 x Garlic Shrimp - with preserved lemons and parsley $10.29
Very tasty, again recommended
1 x Margherita Flatbread - with vine-ripened tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar reduction $7.29
This satisfied the “pizza” urge of the younger too, but again very tasty.
This was followed by:
2 x Oak-fired New York Strip with sweet potato steak fries and a horseradish chive cream drizzle $28.49
definitely a good choice, and medium rare was medium rare! Steve and Kate shared with the rest of us.
1x Lemon Chicken with saffron orzo, spinach, tomatoes, and tomato $19.49
Laura chose this, but Ithink she thought she was ordering Lemon chicken like the chinese Takeaway variety. She ate some, but it was too strong for her. Good and tasty I thought.
1x Portuguese Seafood Stew - grouper, corvina, shrimp, clams, mussels, with roasted potatoes and spicy seafood broth $25.29
I ordered this, and was very disappointed. Very little seafood, and the fennel and onion were raw (I do like my veg “al dente” but this was ridiculous in a broth!) and the broth very watery. It was served with toast…….never mind, live and learn. I pillaged plenty of steak and chicken!
Service throughout the meal was just OK, long pauses, forgotten water etc. Considering that it had been booked for months, it was surprisingly quiet too. By now Laura had downed 3 glasses of pink lemonade and was as high as a kite, she went off to the bathroom for a pink…….well you know, she thought her joke hilarious. We banned the server giving her anymore.
Dessert choices were (we were not allowed to choose the dessert sampler):
1x White Chocolate Orange Cake $7.29
Good choice, light, tasty and not at all artificial
1x Chocolate Apricot Pistachio Cake $7.29
Conversely this was solid and not very good (my choice again!) but the strawberry sorbet that was served with it was “lick your plate clean” good.
2x DIY Ice Cream Sundae $5.49
The younger two were very happy with their ice cream/Cherries/M&Ms/sprinkles and chocolate sauce creations, I think it was here they had artists’ pallettes to make it on and eat off.
The bill with tip would have been $218 without alcoholic drinks. A perfectly good meal, let down by Steve not feeling brilliant, my bad choices (colouring my opinion, and I am writing the reports!)) and being made to feel bad ordering four meals.
We wander out and enjoy watching the entertainment for a bit, before walking back through the Boardwalk Inn where Carols were being sung by a choir, very pleasant they were too.
Drove home without mishap and early bed.
As Steve has golf booked tomorrow, I am sure pills and 12 hours sleep will ensure the Disney Flu abates!
Tomorrow: Enjoying POR, AK and Kona Café (or Golf, Downtown Disney and Kona Café if ,male!)
Day 6 Thurs 21st Dec AK (or Golf!) and Kona Cafe
Me (Fiona) 41 – Commando and Food Planner and Holiday Booker.
DH (Steve) 41 – He really does not like the cheese of Disney! Has got rather keen on golf since our last visit.
DD1 (Kate) 17 – I am ashamed to say that she wants to know if there is a hairdryer everywhere we are staying…shame on her!!
DD2 (Laura) 14 – The Fantasmic Laura of old.
DD3 (Sally) 10 – she will out park the lot of us…… and needs the least sleep.
Pre Trip Report Saturday 16th December 2006 - Monday 1st January 2007
Day 1 Sat 16th Dec Are we nearly there?
Day 2 Sun 17th Dec AK and Boma.
Day 3 Mon 18th Dec EPCOT and Le Cellier
Day 4 Tues 19th Dec MK and Narcossees
Day 5 Wednesday 20th December 2006
Today we have to be organised, as we don’t want to “queue” we need to get our rides in on Tower of Terror (ToT) and Rock n Roller Coaster (RnR) at MGM. We manage to get to opening for 8.45am! Today’s photos are taken by Kate!
Hold your breath, obtain a Fast Pass for ToT, ride ToT , ride RnR, FP RnR, ride ToT with FP. I don’t think we came back to use the RnR FPs, now I am confused as well!! Both of these rides are must dos, but I think I prefer ToT now. They have lap belts rather than the bars, but you seem to “fly” a lot!! Don’t need to sit next to someone tall to “fly” now!! The drops vary as well, but luckily my fear of heights doesn’t come into play on ToT or most roller coasters for some reason.
We time the first performance of Beauty and the Beast well, and sit near the front. We all enjoy it and come out singing. Horror of horrors we get to The great Movie Ride at the worst possible time according to our “tour guide recommendations”, sure enough we waited nearly ½ an hour. I think there are two versions to this ride, but we have only ever been on the gangster one. Sally had forgotten what happens, so she jumped! Very enjoyable.
We stick to our early lunch and trade 4 CS credits at ABC Commissary. However hard I look, MGM seems to have the least inspiring counter and table service offerings. 1 x Fish and Chips, 2x Cheeseburgers and 1x Cuban Sandwich (the latter is recommended) and four more chocolate mousses.
Fast Pass Dasher goes a long way to get FPs for Star Wars (we are on our way to 1.25pm Lights, Motor, Action anyway, good job as he is not feeling too great)
We trek all the way round and are seated high up at the back, I am beginning to feel the miles and am glad to sit down and enjoy the show. I’m glad to say that the good little Corsas are the stars here the same as Paris!! Surely they get it wrong some times?
Mega hike back out and straight onto Star Tours with the FPs. Steve definitely is feeling his Disney Flu now and heads off back to POR for a sleep. The four of us find a place for the Hollyday Stars and their Cars Parade. Our first parade this trip, although I must admit Stars and their Cars is my least favourite but we also only waited five minutes so worth seeing, we were sat in the sun, lovely in December as it was slightly overcast but lovely T shirt weather.
We catch a bus back and find Steve fast asleep, so we swim and hot tub for a very pleasant hour or two, before returning wondering if he is feeling like Spoodles tonight. Surprisingly, 2 paracetamol, no beer and 2 hours sleep with the prospect of food and not parades perks him up and we all get ready to drive over to the Boardwalk. We managed to go via EPCOT, we found the signing to be very vague in Disney, ie EPCOT and EPCOT resorts turn here, and then no sign to say keep far right for resorts, in fact no sign for resorts at all. These posh resorts have far less “ordinary” parking, a much longer walk than from our good old POR, although I generally get the “treatment” and dropped off in style so it’s only heresay about the hike.
We just made our 6.40pm reservation, although the youngest member of our party would have happily dined on the Jelly Bean combos from Seashore Sweets next door. We drag her out, and are seated in another pleasant open dining room, we had the entertainment of the Pizza Window guy twirling his pizza bases near the ceiling a la Generation Game circa 1974 style, but not dropping them at all.
We use 4 TS credits again. This was the first time we were made to feel awkward booking 5 seats and only ordering 4 meals, all of our DDP was adult rate, we were not conning anyone just spreading our plan over an extra day. We enjoy the bread and tapenade brought to the table whilst waiting for my cocktail, Steve’s wine and the girls drinks. We are having a battle by now to cut down Laura’s pink lemonade consumption, since she discovered that glasses are refilled she doesn’t stop. No smoothies for DDP use here. We order
1 x Crispy Fried Calamari - with olive-pepperoncini relish $9.49
This was one of the best starters the whole holiday, crispy, tender and a tasty relish.
2 x Garlic Shrimp - with preserved lemons and parsley $10.29
Very tasty, again recommended
1 x Margherita Flatbread - with vine-ripened tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar reduction $7.29
This satisfied the “pizza” urge of the younger too, but again very tasty.
This was followed by:
2 x Oak-fired New York Strip with sweet potato steak fries and a horseradish chive cream drizzle $28.49
definitely a good choice, and medium rare was medium rare! Steve and Kate shared with the rest of us.
1x Lemon Chicken with saffron orzo, spinach, tomatoes, and tomato $19.49
Laura chose this, but Ithink she thought she was ordering Lemon chicken like the chinese Takeaway variety. She ate some, but it was too strong for her. Good and tasty I thought.
1x Portuguese Seafood Stew - grouper, corvina, shrimp, clams, mussels, with roasted potatoes and spicy seafood broth $25.29
I ordered this, and was very disappointed. Very little seafood, and the fennel and onion were raw (I do like my veg “al dente” but this was ridiculous in a broth!) and the broth very watery. It was served with toast…….never mind, live and learn. I pillaged plenty of steak and chicken!
Service throughout the meal was just OK, long pauses, forgotten water etc. Considering that it had been booked for months, it was surprisingly quiet too. By now Laura had downed 3 glasses of pink lemonade and was as high as a kite, she went off to the bathroom for a pink…….well you know, she thought her joke hilarious. We banned the server giving her anymore.
Dessert choices were (we were not allowed to choose the dessert sampler):
1x White Chocolate Orange Cake $7.29
Good choice, light, tasty and not at all artificial
1x Chocolate Apricot Pistachio Cake $7.29
Conversely this was solid and not very good (my choice again!) but the strawberry sorbet that was served with it was “lick your plate clean” good.
2x DIY Ice Cream Sundae $5.49
The younger two were very happy with their ice cream/Cherries/M&Ms/sprinkles and chocolate sauce creations, I think it was here they had artists’ pallettes to make it on and eat off.
The bill with tip would have been $218 without alcoholic drinks. A perfectly good meal, let down by Steve not feeling brilliant, my bad choices (colouring my opinion, and I am writing the reports!)) and being made to feel bad ordering four meals.
We wander out and enjoy watching the entertainment for a bit, before walking back through the Boardwalk Inn where Carols were being sung by a choir, very pleasant they were too.
Drove home without mishap and early bed.
As Steve has golf booked tomorrow, I am sure pills and 12 hours sleep will ensure the Disney Flu abates!
Tomorrow: Enjoying POR, AK and Kona Café (or Golf, Downtown Disney and Kona Café if ,male!)
Day 6 Thurs 21st Dec AK (or Golf!) and Kona Cafe
Great day 
