All Shook Up March 29-April 5

[jedijill]

Hi Jill!!!!! I just discovered that you started a TR!

I am all caught up, and I am loving it!!! I had no idea that DL had a dessert/fantasmic option! I need to look into that for our upcoming trip so it will be so horribly crowded. Thank you!

It was so fun to see the studios tour pics and hear about it. And you reminded me about In-n-Out - it has been far too long since I lived in SF. I am totally going to take Willow there on our epic DLR road trip. Of course, it would help if she liked hamburgers...

Isn't CarsLand amazing!!!??? We loved it so much.

Great report so far, Jill. Can't wait for more!

Hey thanks for joining!

I'm going to get this report going again. I've been slacking!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

All caught up. Great trip so far!

How fun you spent the afternoon with that lady

Paper thin walls I can not tolerate.

Loved that Magical Map show, never too many pictures!

Did I read that you waited an hour for the Matterhorn?

Fun parade pictures, I only saw part of that one.

The coffee shop from Friends is totally awesome.

What a bummer about missing BBT.

Totally agree that seeing Walt's apartment is worth the price of the tour.

How were the desserts from Fantasmic?

What I ate of the desserts were good but I never did eat everything. It was just too much!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Sorry for the interruption in this report! Spring finally sprung in Colorado and I was spending as much time outside soaking up the Vitamin D I could! Things are finally calming down (including the crazy storms we had over the last 2 weeks) and I need to get to planning my next trip so I need to get this report wrapped up!

Here are some pictures from my day trip up to Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and 6 inches of new snow and a rockslide closed Trail Ridge Road again so I had to come home early but did get to see some elk and a herd of Big Horn Sheep! I apologize for the poor pictures but the sheep were pretty far away and I was just using my little point and shoot.







And now back to DL!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

After leaving the Wharf area, I walked over to Mickey's Fun Wheel of Death. I skipped it in 2005 but decided to see if it was really as bad as some on the Dis (you know who you are!) said. There are two lines...one for swinging and one for non-swinging. I was brave and rode on the swinging side. I was seated in a car with a father and his 2 year old daughter. She was adorable and absolutely loved the ride. She squealed with delight every time the car swung! I didn't find the ride bad at all but it was rather boring other than the occasional swing. The views were fantastic though!



You could see the fountains/pipes for WoC.







After surviving MFWOD, I walked over to Toy Story Mania. It was really hard to believe that there is no FP for this attraction like there is in Florida. The line moved along and I was on with about a 40 minute wait.



After having fun on the Midway, I jumped in the single rider's line for California Screamin'. No pictures but this is a great roller coaster. So much fun! I think I fit in a ride on Golden Zephyr and Goofy's Sky School.

By this time I was feeling a bit peckish (I've been watching too much Downton Abbey!) and headed Fran's advice to try the Corn Dog Castle. I had to wait a few minutes for it to open but soon I was trying one of these beauties.



I figure the apples canceled out half the calories. Holy cow! That corn dog was GOOD!!!! I get the hype now. I would go back to DLR just for another corn dog. Yum!

After finishing up lunch I decided to head back over to DL. I decided I needed dessert so I stopped and tried one of the famous churros. It was pretty good but not my favorite dessert of the trip.



After wiping off the sugar, I headed towards Fantasyland. My mission was to ride any of the DL specific attractions and hit things that I probably wouldn't when I met Alison at the park. First up was Storybook Land. This is a classic and I'm glad I experienced it once but I probably won't brave the line for it again. I can see it being a hit with the preschool crowd though!











I can't remember if I rode anything else but I do know I called and moved my dinner reservation up to an earlier time. (I normally book late dinners at WDW due to the time change--2 hours for me--but I was hungry earlier in CA) I headed back to my hotel to rest up and change clothes for dinner at Steakhouse 55.

Continued

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Ugh, does anyone know how to rotate a picture in Photobucket and make it stick when you copy the link?!?!?!?! It's driving me crazy!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

After chilling in my room for a bit, I changed my clothes and drove up to the DL Hotel. I really wanted to stay here but I just couldn't stomach paying Disney prices. I explored a little and saw the adorable teacup chairs in the lobby. I checked out the gift shop and finally wandered over to Steakhouse 55. I was promptly seated and I checked out the menus.







I started out with a loaf of bread with (soft!) butter and a sprig of thyme.



I started with the crab cake appetizer. It was really yummy...lots of crab and not a lot of filler.



I had the bone in rib eye and a side of the mac and cheese.





Dessert was a creme brulee. I was enamoured with the candy curly thing that held the cookie.





Overall, I was underwhelmed by Steakhouse 55. I thought the steak was lower quality than I would expect at those prices. The mac and cheese was delicious. The crab cakes was the best dish of the night. I really think I'm spoiled by a fantastic steakhouse here in town that one of my vendors occasionally treats me to (Shanahan's...owned by the former Bronco's coach).

It was a good meal though and a nice way to end the night. After dinner I wandered a bit and found Trader Sam's. I thought about a drink to end the night but it was packed and no tables/seats to be had. I headed back to the hotel so I could rest up for my epic Dis meet the next day!!!!

Jill in CO

 

[Pinkocto]

If you save it in photo bucket first, the flipped photos usually fix themselves after a little but.

 

[Pinkocto]

Sorry you were underwhelmed with dinner glad there were some delicious treats to be had though.

I was a bit disappointed with the Fun Wheel. I was expecting big and fast drops but it wasn't as hair raising as people on here make it out to be.

The cheese dog at the Corn Dog Castle was absolutely scrumptious too!

Love the pictures of the sheep and elk, thanks for sharing

 

[jedijill]

Wednesday, April 2

Today was the day I came out to California for! A special anonymous friend gifted Alison and I a VIP tour! This person was unable to join us so Alison and I enjoyed their generous gift all on our own.

Alison and I made arrangement to meet at the GCH at 10 AM. I headed up early and grabbed my normal Starbucks breakfast. I hung out in the gorgeous lobby until Alison arrived and we met our guide for the day. I cannot remember our guide's name but she was really sweet.

We headed over to DL to start managed to ride SM, BTMRR, Matterhorn, POTC, HM, and Buzz all before lunch! Our guide was able to make us a reservation at Carnation Cafe.

Proof of the meet!



Menu







We both started with the baked potato soup. It was really delicious...very rich though.



We decided to share the meatloaf. It was a huge portion and we couldn't finish it even though we split it!



After finishing up lunch, our guide met us again and we headed over to DCA. I believe we started by riding RSR which is always a fantastic ride. On California Screamin' we came to a very awkward stop before the ride was over....we were sorta tipped over on our side....at full speed its a fun twist...when completely stopped...a little disconcerting!

TSM was next...fun as usual! We decided to take a break and grab a glass of wine at the bar next to Wine Country Trattoria. The CM working there was a hoot! Wine in hand, we headed over to the Aladdin show. We had the start time wrong so had to wait an extra 30 minutes...no worries. We grabbed a bench and enjoyed our wine!

The show was fantastic! The Genie really makes the show...love all the current events jokes that they put in the script. Go see the show if you never have!!!

While waiting for the show, Alison ran into a friend who invited us to 1901 after the show. How could we say no to that?!?!?! It was starting to sprinkle a bit but we headed over to 1901 and her friend checked us in.

continued in next post.

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

Shoot I interjected too soon.


Great updates!

Bummer about Steakhouse 55. Was that bacon in the mac and cheese?

Fun VIP tour! What a neat way to spend the afternoon. You gals look like you have a good time.

I haven't been to Carnation Cafe in ages; I am going to have to change that.

Aren't the corn dogs to die for?

 

[jedijill]

I completely dorked out in 1901! It was such a calm, peaceful place. I ran around a took a ton of pictures while Alison caught up with her friend.

Bathroom











Love this picture. I am from Missouri and have always felt a connection to Walt. I know this address!



Love these lamps!



I hate these turned out blurry.





Pictures done, Alison and got down to cocktails. She requested the special ice "show" for her martini. This was so awesome. The metal contraption changed a cube of ice into a perfect sphere!







Alison's finished martini (no olives!)



I had a Hemingway....it was soooo goood!



We also munched on some queso.



Check in desk





After a couple of hours Alison and I said our goodbyes. She headed home to have dinner with Fran and I went to go see World of Color. It was a chilly night and the wind was really blowing! I went to the bar at Paradise Pier to get out of the wind...I read some of my Game of Thrones book on my Iphone until the reserved viewing section opened up. I didn't get the greatest location (I was behind the trellis thing by the lake) but the show was amazing. I want to see it again when its nice weather and I can get a better viewing location.

It really started to sprinkle after the show was over so I just followed the herd through the GCH exit and then took the secret passage over to the DLH and found a table at Trader Sam's. I was starving since I hadn't really eaten dinner...just the cocktail and queso at 1901. I ordered a Krakatoa punch and a pu pu platter. I got a show with the drink...so very cool! The pu pu platter really hit the spot as well! I got a souvenir tiki glass to bring home with me. After finishing up my impromptu dinner, I caught a cab back to my hotel and got to see some of DL's fireworks in the sky.









Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Thursday, April 3

My recollection is starting to get a bit hazy but I slept in this morning and then headed back over to DL. I think I rode PoTC and HM again and then had lunch at Cafe Orleans. I work with a couple of guys that LOVE monte cristos and they had no idea that DL has the best ones. I made sure to take pictures so I could show (torture) them when I got back.





I started out with the pommes frites. These were so good and I should have stopped right here.



I did order the Monte Cristo.



I ended up barely finishing a quarter of it. The first bit is awesome then it becomes too much. I ended up fishing the ham and cheese out of the bread. I was so stuffed when I was done!

I walked around some more and then decided to head back to the hotel so I could do some laundry. Walking down Main Street I ran into these guys and watched their show. They are amazing talented!







Back at the hotel I loaded up my laundry and found a highly rated laundromat on Yelp. Free Wifi! Laundry done I headed back to the hotel and then chilled out until it was time to go to the GCH for my dinner at the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose!

Continued

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

I've known for a long time that I wanted to eat at Napa Rose and then Alison started tempting/torturing me with pictures of her and Fran's past meals especially at the Chef's Counter. I decided to book it and Alison gave me advice on which night's not to book. I managed to get a booking on Thursday night. You have to call the restaurant directly...you can't book Chef's Counter via the main reservation line.

I think I walked to the GCH knowing I was going to eat a huge meal...hopefully I could walk a bit of it off!

I headed over to Napa Rose and was seated at the bar since the first seating at Chef's Counter wasn't done yet. I had a cocktail that paled in comparison to the Hemingway..didn't stop me from drinking it though.

It wasn't long until they were ready and I was seated at the counter. It wasn't full. There was a mother and her son next to me and a couple on the other side of the counter. Chef Sutton wasn't in tonight but we were taken care by the female chef (sorry..I do not remember her name!) but she was really nice. I had already decided to do the Chef's Choice....when you sit at the Counter you have the option to order off the regular menu, the special 4 course Vintner's Table tasting menu, or allowing the chef to choose your meal. Chef's Choice is the same prices as the Vintner's Table menu. $100 plus $45 for the optional wine pairing.

The chef chatted with me a bit about likes and dislikes. I left it pretty open. I was soon served an amuse bouche which I cannot for the life of me remember what it was but it was tasty.



The first course was a partial selection from the Seven Sparkling Sins appetizer. I had the Curried Crab Taco, Shrimp in Cucumber Wrap with Lemon Dill Creme, and the Seared Ahi Nacho. The wine was a Sharfenberger Brut from Mendcino County.





Everything was really good. I'm not normally a raw tuna fan but the Ahi was good.

Second course was the Pan Roasted Diver Scallops on a Sauce of Lobster and lemon accented with vanilla. The wine was Baileyana, Edna Valley Chardonnay. The scallops were divine! The sauce was amazing and I loved the chunks of lobster! I could eat this dish everyday!



Third course was the Grilled Maple Leaf Farms Breast of Duck with fennel orange puree, braised lentils and kumquat marmalade. The wine was a Ferrai Carano Merlot, Sonoma County. This was also really good...loved the kumquat marmalade.



One of the chefs that I was talking with gave me a portion of the Portobello Mushroom Bisque Cappuccino. It was really good...much lighter than the portobello soup at Artist Point at WDW.



The main course was served which was the Grilled Prime New York Steak with spring onion bread pudding, scarlet turnips and green almond rhubarb relish. The wine was Diane Disney's Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. The steak was cooked perfectly and the bread pudding was really interesting as I've never had a savory bread pudding before.








The dessert course came and it was the Marinated Fresh Local Strawberries with Toasted Almond and Vanilla Pound cake with Strawberry Honey Sorbet. This was so light and delicious...the perfect ending to such a spectacular meal.




I really enjoyed the Chef's Counter and I highly recommend anyone that loves food to try it. I really found Napa Rose to be down to earth and not very pretentious...the service was excellent and the food matched.

I walked back to the hotel and passed out..stuffed and happy!

Jill in CO

 

[PrincessInOz]

What an amazing series of food pictures. Love it! And I just had lunch. Now I'm hungry again.


Great pictures at the Rockies. Those animals look fantastic.

You and Alison look like you had a great time. The drinks look amazing. And I don't mind the swinging carousel myself. However, I will say that if you want to take photographs on that Wheel of Death, the standard carousel is the way to go.

Love the pictures at Napa Rose.

 

[jedijill]

Sorry you were underwhelmed with dinner glad there were some delicious treats to be had though.

I was a bit disappointed with the Fun Wheel. I was expecting big and fast drops but it wasn't as hair raising as people on here make it out to be.

The cheese dog at the Corn Dog Castle was absolutely scrumptious too!

Love the pictures of the sheep and elk, thanks for sharing

I want to try the cheese dog....I just ran out of time and stomach room. Time for another trip.

Jill in CO

 

[KatMark]

I "glazed" over your updates quickly (I promise to come back and read them more carefully when I get home since we are planning a DL trip next year).

I have to say that I LOVE that drink menu.

 

[jedijill]

Shoot I interjected too soon.


Great updates!

Bummer about Steakhouse 55. Was that bacon in the mac and cheese?

Fun VIP tour! What a neat way to spend the afternoon. You gals look like you have a good time.

I haven't been to Carnation Cafe in ages; I am going to have to change that.

Aren't the corn dogs to die for?

I loved Carnation Cafe...I would go back for the pancakes and the soup.

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

What an amazing series of food pictures. Love it! And I just had lunch. Now I'm hungry again.


Great pictures at the Rockies. Those animals look fantastic.

You and Alison look like you had a great time. The drinks look amazing. And I don't mind the swinging carousel myself. However, I will say that if you want to take photographs on that Wheel of Death, the standard carousel is the way to go.

Love the pictures at Napa Rose.

Thanks PiO!

It was a fantastic day with Alison! I had so much fun.

The food was amazing!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

I "glazed" over your updates quickly (I promise to come back and read them more carefully when I get home since we are planning a DL trip next year).

I have to say that I LOVE that drink menu.

Hi Kathy! I bet you are getting excited today!

You will love DL! I am actually kind of liking it more than WDW right now. (STupid FP+ still makes me mad!)

Have a fantastic trip!

Jill in CO

 

[luulu1999]

Found you TR and all caught up!! I love all you pics!! We have a lot of similar places planned for eating...we are doing in and out we have never been, I wanted to do the WB tour really bad but my kiddos are too young, and I am hopefully making our reservation for Café Orleans today (if it opens up may have to wait til tom). Funny you mentioned the New Madrid fault that is where I live we have small earthquakes all the time but I have never felt one, they blew the levee a couple years ago and I was freaking out thinking that would cause an earthquake and even though were they blew it at was probably at least 30 miles away it rattled my walls and I just knew it was the "big one" you had a lot of awesome experiences on your trip can't wait to hear more!!